Press encounter by the Secretary-General following his meeting on Myanmar with key donors and ASEAN [Association of South East Asian Nations] countries
(unofficial transcript)

SG: We had a very good meeting together with ASEAN Member States, including Myanmar. There was a general agreement that, while we are encouraged by this flow of humanitarian assistance, increasingly, at the same time, in view of the magnitude of this crisis??provide aid workers and many ASEAN countries, and many international community members, have expressed their commitment, as well as their intent, to provide the necessary assistance. There [were] also expressions of concern that this should not be the subject of politicization. This is purely, genuinely, a humanitarian crisis; therefore it should be addressed in such a way –[addressing a humanitarian crisis]. I have assured the delegations that I'll try to lead this humanitarian work in a purely, genuinely humanitarian [way]. Again, there was some concern expressed that, while this will be a humanitarian crisis, if we are not able to address this issue in a proper way - reaching those people in need - then it may create inevitably some kind of political issue. Therefore, we need to be careful about that. Now, we also agreed on the need to work together, in particular with the ASEAN countries, and we need full cooperation from the Myanmarese Government on this issue. We discussed some specific issues, including designating a UN/ASEAN joint humanitarian coordinator, establishing a logistical hub outside Myanmar and also holding a high-level pledging conference. I am sure that the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting, which will be held on the 19th of this month in Singapore, will reflect on these specific proposals which I have put forward. Many delegations have expressed their support and [on the] merit of this issue, but this needs to be discussed with the Myanmarese Government, as well as ASEAN countries. I am very heartened by all this strong support and willingness to work together, and we agreed that all this humanitarian assistance should be made now in a more systematic, organized and coherent manner, looking at more mid-term construction issues. Thank you very much.

Q: Just one question, it sounds like lots of agreement in the room, but the international community really needs to act in hours and days, not weeks. So what if you don't get a change of mindset from the Myanmarese authorities?

SG: The Myanmarese Government has shown flexibility now –it is encouraging. But much more needs to be done. Of course, the first few days, even a few more hours, will be crucially important in reaching these needy people with the necessary relief items and humanitarian goods. That is what I am doing with a sense of great urgency.

Q: Mr. Ban, do you suggest, then, sending a high level UN official to Burma?

SG: Yes, I am considering sending Under-Secretary-General of OCHA [Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] Mr. John Holmes, with the World Food Programme airplane, with humanitarian assistance in the [coming] days.