Burma cracks down on critics of its relief effort

BURMA’s ruling generals have accused foreign media of tarnishing the country’s image by reporting that cyclone victims have not received any assistance.

The US military, meanwhile, said it has received no response to an offer of 22 helicopters that could ferry relief to most survivors within three days.

Along with its stepped-up rhetoric, Burma’s government appeared to be clamping down on criticism at home. A popular comedian was detained after returning from an aid trip and saying that government aid was not reaching some victims.