(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-09 23:56

YANGON  -- Myanmar has accepted an offer of the United States to send humanitarian aid to the country's cyclone victims, state radio reported Friday in a night broadcast.

Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister U Kyaw Thu gave the assurance Friday to the Charge d'affaires of the United States Shari Villarosa, saying that the country is receiving such relief aid from any country without discrimination at this time according to its policy dealing with the disaster, the report said.

Kyaw Thu denied rumors about Myanmar's turning down of such relief materials from Western countries but accept those from nations in good relations with Myanmar, clarifying that the country has never done so in this case.

Kyaw Thu outlined that wellwishers abroad may make cash donation through Myanmar embassies stationed there, while those who like to donate relief goods may present at the Yangon International Airport and seaports.

According to the report, the US relief aid would arrive in Yangon in days.

A foreign ministry's statement said earlier on Friday that  "At this juncture, the international community can best help the victims by donating emergency provisions such as medical supplies, food, cloth, electricity generator, and materials for emergency shelter or with financial assistance,"  adding that "Myanmar will wholeheartedly welcome such course of action".

"The government and the people of Myanmar are grateful to the friendly nations, the United Nations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, private individuals and others for their sympathy and condolences expressed and the kind generosity in donating emergency relief provisions as well as the financial support for relief and resettlement of the victims in cyclone- affected areas," it said.

"Currently, Myanmar has prioritized receiving emergency relief provisions and is making strenuous efforts to transport those provisions without delay by its own labor to the affected areas," the statement said, clarifying that "Myanmar is not yet ready to receive search and rescue teams as well as media teams from foreign countries".