States, aid agencies offer to help storm-hit Myanmar

SINGAPORE, May 5 (Reuters) - Foreign leaders and aid experts urged Myanmar's military rulers to accept international assistance as state television reported that nearly 4,000 people were killed and thousands were missing from the cyclone that struck the country at the weekend.

BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICER MINISTER MEG MUNN

"We are deeply concerned by the situation in Burma in the wake of cyclone Nargis, and saddened by the terrible loss of life. The priority must be to mobilise aid to all those affected to avoid further suffering. We call on the Burmese regime to provide rapid support to its people and to accept international assistance."

SINGAPORE FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Embassy in Yangon are closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.

"Our Embassy has been in touch with a majority of the Singaporean community in the country and will continue to try to contact the remainder.

"There have been no reports thus far of any injuries to any Singaporean as a result of Cyclone Nargis.

"Separately, Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo has written to his counterpart, Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, to convey his sympathies and Singapore's offer of humanitarian assistance."

ELISABETH BYRS, SPOKESWOMAN, UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)

"I have no confirmation regarding the formal request," she said on whether the Myanmar government would ask for aid.

"The formal request has not been issued. But we have information that assistance may be welcome. We are quite optimistic."

MATTHEW COCHRANE, SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES

"The needs are clean water, a common need after a disaster when access to clean water can be blocked."

Noting that the agency had a delegation in Myanmar, he said: "We've been able to have access in situations like this to get in to do the work we need to do."

OFFICIAL FROM WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION

"Any tropical cyclone, if you are not prepared, then that will be a disaster. If you are prepared enough, the disaster will be reduced to a minimum," the official who declined to be named said.

(Asia Desk + 65 68703815)