First Lady Remarks on Cyclone in Burma, Says U.S. Will Increase Aid

FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH: Thank you, everybody, for coming out. I just want to make a few comments about Burma.

On Saturday, Cyclone Nargis swept through Burma. The storm affected more than 2 million people and, according to the Burmese media, killed thousands. The aftermath has left cities paralyzed, families separated, and houses and businesses destroyed.

Americans are a compassionate people, and we're already acting to provide help. The U.S. has offered financial assistance through our embassy. We'll work with the U.N. and other international nongovernmental organizations to provide water, sanitation, food and shelter.

More assistance will be forthcoming. 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.

The government of Burma should accept this team quickly, as well as other offers of international assistance.

As they cope with this tragedy, the men and women of Burma remain in the thoughts and prayers of many Americans. 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. 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.