WASHINGTON (AFP) - US First Lady Laura Bush Monday accused the Myanmar military regime of failing to warn its citizens in time about the approaching cyclone which ravaged the country, leaving thousands dead. Although they were aware of the threat, Burma's state-run media failed to issue a timely warning to citizens in the storm's path," Bush said, referring to Myanmar by its former name of Burma.
"It's troubling that many of the Burmese people learned of this impending disaster only when foreign outlets, such as Radio Free Asia and Voice of America sounded the alarm."
The United States stood ready to send aid to Myanmar, the first lady added, urging the reclusive military leadership to quickly accept such offers of international help.
"The United States stands prepared to provide an assistance team and much-needed supplies to Burma, as soon as the Burmese government accepts our offer," she told a White House news conference.
"The government of Burma should accept this team quickly, as well as other offers of international assistance."
Myanmar said on Monday more than 10,000 people died in the cyclone that battered the impoverished nation, as its military rulers made a rare appeal for international help to cope with the tragedy.
Reeling from the weekend disaster, which also left thousands missing, the Southeast Asian country once known as Burma -- one of the world's poorest -- warned that the staggering death toll could still rise further.
"There could be more casualties," said Nyan Win, foreign minister of the military junta which has ruled the country with an iron fist for decades, and normally puts tight restrictions on aid agencies from the outside world.
"We will welcome help like this from other countries, because our people are in difficulty," he said.
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