LONDON (AFP) — Britain welcomed Myanmar's decision to let its southeast Asian neighbours lead an international aid effort in the devastating cyclone aftermath but warned the effort must deliver results quickly.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander also urged the military junta to go further and accept help directly from Britain and others.
"Anything which may see more aid getting to the victims of Cyclone Nargis who so desperately need it is to be welcomed, but we are continuing to press the Burmese government to accept direct assistance in the affected areas from the UK and other major donors," he said.
He stressed that "it is vital that no obstacles are placed in the path of the tremendous effort being made on the ground by international non-governmental organisations.
"We will use the regional channel to deliver aid if that is the fastest and most practical way to meet the urgent needs of the people of Burma.
Foreign Office Minister Mark Malloch Brown was even clearer, stressing that the compromise was only "the beginning of a process".
"We need to be ready if this doesn't work. We are not going to take any options off the table until we have seen that the needs are met," he said.
"This...approach is the best game in town and we're putting our eggs in the basket. We'll have to take them out if it doesn't deliver results."
At least 133,000 people are dead or missing and two million survivors are in dire need of help 18 days after Cyclone Nargis struck the impoverished nation.
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