Bangkok--22 May--UNISBKK United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Yangon earlier this morning. He was greeted at the airport by Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win, before heading to the Foreign Ministry where he signed a book of condolences for those who lost their lives in the cyclone. Mr. Ban’s motorcade passed many signs of the cyclone’s devastation including uprooted trees and roofless houses. After signing the condolences book, the Secretary-General proceeded to Shwedagon pagoda — the holiest Buddhist shrine in Maynmar. He offered flowers to the statue of Buddha and expressed his solidarity with and commitment to the people of Myanmar. He followed local tradition and removed his shoes and socks to walk around the pagoda, and he also offered some money to the trustees of the pagoda to pass on to the victims of the cyclone. The Secretary-General is expected to meet the Prime Minister, General Thein Sein, as well as representatives from the Myanmar Red Cross and other non-governmental organizations, later today. For more information, please contact: UN Information Services Tel.: +66-2-288-1861-9; Fax: +66-2-288-1052 Email: [email protected]