Observers say Myanmar has history of xenophobia

On Monday, first lady Laura Bush described the junta as "very inept" on several fronts and accused leaders of failing to give citizens some lifesaving warnings about the cyclone.

That kind of language is not helpful, said Monique Skidmore, a Myanmar expert at Australian National University.

"It's actually making it a lot more difficult for the U.S. agencies because Bush must be enraging the generals," said Skidmore. "That's not the thing to be doing if he wants to get aid there as quickly as possible."

Awaiting a decision from Myanmar, the U.S. stepped up preparations Thursday for a humanitarian mission there, readying some navy ships and Air Force planes in the region, said Eric John, the U.S. ambassador to Thailand.

"We are in a long line of nations who are ready, willing and able to help," John said. "But also, of course, in a long line of nations the Burmese don't trust."