Myanmar crisis not a matter of politics: Rice

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Condolezza Rice on Wednesday urged cyclone-hit Myanmar to admit international disaster relief, saying it was a humanitarian crisis rather than a political issue.

"What remains is for the Burmese (Myanmar) government to allow the international community to help its people," Rice told reporters in Washington.

"It should be a simple matter. It's not a matter of politics. It's a matter of a humanitarian crisis," Rice said.

Rice, who was flanked by Macedonian foreign minister Antonio Milososki after talks with him on bilateral issues, said she was "deeply concerned by the growing humanitarian crisis in Burma."

She added: "This is the type of crisis that will only get worse." Shari Villarosa, the charge d'affaires in Yangon, told reporters in Washington during a conference call that she had information "there may well be over 100,000 deaths in the delta area."

Rice recalled that she and US officials were speaking "to governments that may have influence with Burma" in order to persuade the authorities in Myanmar to allow in relief.

Her spokesman, Sean McCormack, said Washington is urging Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, India and China to use "any leverage" they may have with Myanmar to allow relief teams into the cyclone-stricken nation.