Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement regarding the aftermath of the deadly cyclone that struck Burma over the weekend:

“As news reports emerge of ever greater disaster following this weekend’s devastating cyclone in Burma, Cindy and I offer our deepest condolences to the tens of thousands who have been affected. The Burmese people have long struggled for freedom under a corrupt and repressive regime. Now they add to their burdens the consequences of this terrible natural disaster.

“The United States should respond by providing humanitarian assistance to the Burmese people. The U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, which has already announced an emergency contribution, has made a step in the right direction. Yet as the numbers of those killed and rendered homeless by the cyclone continue to increase, the need will be deep and dire. America should respond as befits a great and generous country, one that has stood beside the people of Burma - and against those who wish to oppress them - for decades.

“We must also press the Burmese junta to allow international relief organizations to have unfettered access to those affected and to lift its restrictions on humanitarian organizations operating there. Continuing these restrictions will cost lives. At the same time, the international community should press the Government of Burma - so quick to dispatch thousands of security forces to crush democracy protests - to finally redirect its efforts toward helping its own beleaguered people.”