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US Urges Humanitarian Access to Strife-torn Myanmar Region

by Associated Press

   The U.S. is calling for restoration of full humanitarian access in a
   strife-torn region of western Myanmar where the United Nations says
   more than 150,000 people, including 3,000 malnourished children, are
   being denied aid.

   The State Department says U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel joined the U.N.
   resident coordinator for Myanmar and other chiefs of mission on a visit
   Wednesday to villages in the northern part of Rakhine state.

   Human rights groups have raised alarm over a three-week surge in
   violence by security forces, prompted by the killings of nine police
   officers at border posts on October 9 in Rakhine, which is home to many
   displaced Rohingya Muslims.

   State Department spokesman John Kirby says Marciel called for
   protection of all residents and a thorough investigation into
   allegations of abuse.