Bush calls on Myanmar: accept aid

May 6 - In the Oval Office of the White House and surrounded by members of the U.S. Congress, President Bush signed a bill awarding Myanmarese Nobel Peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor bestowed on a civilian by the U.S. Congress.

President Bush took the opportunity to call upon the government of Myanmar - referred to by the Bush Administration as Burma - to accept U.S. assistance in the aftermath of the cyclone.

The President said, "So our message is to the military rulers: Let the United States come and help you, help the people. Our hearts go out to the people of Burma. We want to help them deal with this terrible disaster. At the same time, of course, we want them to live in a free society."

Keep up to date on the situation in Myanmar following the Cyclone Nargis: