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

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BUSH: Right now, the earliest part of the relief is the money that the embassy already has, that's already there, that we can distribute to other NGOs, the World Food Programme, other groups that are on the ground.

BUSH: If they will let our DART team in, then we'll be able to assess what else we can do. And we do have other supplies and commodities in the area -- not in Burma, but close in the area -- that would be available soon for help if our DART team can get in and see what they can do.

QUESTION: And given your concerns about the ruling government there, are you also worried that any U.S. aid might not get to the people affected?

BUSH: Well, I'm worried that they won't even accept U.S. aid. 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.

QUESTION: Mrs. Bush, is there any evidence that the sanctions the U.S. and other nations have imposed on the leaders in Myanmar or Burma have had an effect?

BUSH: Only anecdotal. We have heard -- and not probably -- can't really confirm about some of the leaders who are targeted -- actions that they've taken that make us think they don't like those targeted sanctions on the leaders themselves.

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