US weighs aid drops for Myanmar cyclone victims

The option is not ideal, but is being studied by the U.S. and several other countries as a last resort if Myanmar's military leaders continue to limit outside aid and expertise that would help millions of people affected by the storm, said Ky Luu, the director of the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

Air drops are often inefficient and, compounded with the junta's refusal to accept most offers of assistance, could have broader international legal implications, he said, adding that the best option would be for Myanmar to accept the aid.

Still, "anything that might have a positive impact is being looked at and is being discussed," Luu told reporters at the State Department. "Air drops (are) not the most efficient manner in terms of providing relief assistance and, in the end, may create more harm than anything else."

"So, yes, we're looking at it, but the immediate needs are for open access for the current existing operational partners and for the regime, in order to open up, to provide for additional relief workers to get on the ground," Luu said.

His comments came as the United States and other donor countries continued to wait for permission to enter with tons of assistance and disaster relief personnel to assess what the needs are and move toward distributing the aid. He and other U.S. officials on Thursday reiterated appeals for Myanmar to allow such access.

Among other countries considering air drops are France, whose foreign minister has suggested the possibility of forcing assistance into Myanmar, and Italy, officials said.

Air drops of aid in crisis situations without permission from the host government would be complicated, as international law is unsettled on the issue. Pentagon officials have said they are wary of such a scenario because it could be considered an invasion.

But French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said this week that air drops could be allowed under the U.N.'s "responsibility to protect" mandate, which applies to civilians.

Luu said that concept was being discussed in Washington as well as by senior relief officials and diplomats who are now in Bangkok, Thailand, trying to coordinate the international response to the disaster.