Canada sending military disaster assistance team to Myanmar

Canada is offering its military disaster assistance team to Myanmar in an effort help cyclone victims. Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said Thursday an advance team has left for the region to assess how Canada can best deliver its support. The 200-soldier unit is capable of providing medical care, production of safe drinking water and engineering capability. Bernier said he spoke with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on Thursday and reconfirmed Canada's support and willingness to help. Bernier urged Myanmar, also known as Burma, to grant immediate humanitarian access. Myanmar's military regime allowed in the first major international aid shipment Thursday, but it snubbed a US offer to help.