U.S. President George W. Bush urged Myanmar's government Tuesday to accept increased American aid as the country limps back to normal after being ravaged by a cyclone at the weekend.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Bush said the United States has provided some assistance, but "we want to do a lot more."
"Let the United States come and help you," Bush said, adding that he is prepared to send U.S. Navy ships to help the South Asian nation recover from the effects of tropical cyclone Nargis.
Bush made his appeal a day after the U.S. embassy in Yangon issued a disaster declaration authorizing an immediate release of 250,000 U.S. dollars in support for Myanmar.
U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Tom Casey said Monday that Washington is looking at what other assistance it might be able to provide.
Tropical cyclone Nargis, which developed over the Bay of Bengal, ripped through Myanmar's five divisions and states, leaving at least 22,500 people dead and more than 41,000 missing.
The U.S. has long imposed a trade and investment ban on Myanmar, accusing the government of "poor human rights records".
Source:Xinhua
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