EU executive dismisses French Myanmar aid call

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union executive on Thursday dismissed a French suggestion that aid could be delivered to cyclone-hit Myanmar without the ruling military junta's approval.

"We cannot force the entry, the delivery of aid, we are not in a position to do that," European Commission spokesman Amadeu Altafaj Tardio told a regular news briefing, when asked about the suggestion by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

"We put the accent on the diplomatic efforts to convince the Burmese authorities that the best way to assist the population is to allow humanitarian organizations to work independently."

The spokesman said diplomatic pressure was being exerted by the main international donors, led by the United Nations.

He said it was vital that aid be delivered quickly to save lives, and access remained a great concern, but there had been some encouraging signs as Myanmar had given permission for three Commission aid experts to go to the country on Thursday.

Myanmar's generals have appealed for international assistance but have been slow to issue visas to foreign aid workers.

Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar nearly a week ago and is feared to have killed up to 100,000 people and made one million homeless. Little aid has arrived in the worst-hit area.

Thailand's military Supreme Commander Boonsrang Niumpradit told Reuters on Thursday the U.S. military had been given the green light to start military aid flights for survivors of the cyclone, and an embassy official confirmed the decision.

But the U.S. ambassador to Bangkok said later the United States was still waiting for approval from Myanmar.

Kouchner suggested on Wednesday invoking a U.N. "responsibility to protect" to deliver aid without the junta's approval, but France's bid to make the Security Council take a stand was rebuffed.

The United Nations recognized the concept in 2005 to protect civilians when their governments could or would not do so, even if this meant intervention that violated national sovereignty.

But John Holmes, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said "confrontation" would be unhelpful as discussions with the government were slowly moving forward.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom, editing by Tim Pearce)