Myanmar ? Myanmar will allow U.N. helicopters to ferry aid to cyclone victims, the U.N. chief said. But state media reported today the government will not accept any disaster relief from U.S. warships.

The New Light of Myanmar newspaper said said that such U.S. military assistance would come “with strings attached.”

The U.S. has several helicopters on standby on a warship off the Myanmar coast and in neighboring Thailand.

The state media report said that other U.S. aid airlifted into the country was welcome, an apparent reference to ongoing relief flights of cargo planes from Thailand to Yangon. The United States has been sending about five such flights a day.

On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the world body has received permission from Myanmar to use nine helicopters to carry aid to stranded victims.

“We have received government permission to operate nine WFP (World Food Program) helicopters, which will allow us to reach areas that have so far been largely inaccessible,” Ban told reporters in New York before departing on a trip to Myanmar. He is to tour the area today.