US to pump more money into Myanmar - first lady

Washington: First lady Laura Bush on Monday said the United States stands ready to pump more aid into Myanmar to help its recovery from a devastating cyclone that has killed over 15,000 people.

But that help is conditioned, she said, on a US disaster response team being allowed into the country.

Mrs. Bush also rebuked Myanmar's ruling junta on other fronts in a rare appearance at the White House press briefing room.

She faulted the junta for proceeding with a May 10 constitutional referendum that she described as a sham, and criticised government leaders for not warning citizens about the storm.

"We know already that they are very inept," she said.

The first lady has been the administration's chief voice on human rights and political conditions in Myanmar.

She said she felt compelled to comment about the US response to the cyclone before leaving for Texas on Tuesday for the wedding of her daughter Jenna this weekend.

The US Embassy in Myanmar is immediately providing $250,000 in aid from an existing emergency fund to humanitarian organisations working on the ground, Mrs. Bush said.

The country "stands prepared" to provide broader help, but it cannot do so until the government grants permission for a US disaster assistance response team to enter the country and assess the needs, she said.

The State Department says that permission has been denied.

"I'm worried that they won't even accept US aid," Mrs. Bush said. "And I urge the government to accept aid from the United States and from the entire international community right now while the needs of their people are so critical."