Myanmar to accept relief aid by ship

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - May 23, 2008 The wording of Ban's announcement suggests that U.S., British and French warships waiting off Myanmar's coast with relief supplies would not be allowed to dock. It left open the possibility that other boats could ferry supplies from those ships.

Ban told reporters that junta chief Senior Gen. Than Shwe agreed at a meeting Friday morning that "international aid could be delivered to Myanmar via civilian ships and small boats."

Ban said earlier that the junta agreed to allow "all aid workers" into the country to help survivors. He is on a mission to open Myanmar to international disaster assistance.