Yangon, Myanmar – Donor countries said they were ready to provide Myanmar with more than $100 million to help it recover from cyclone Nargis, but warned the ruling junta Sunday they will not fully open their wallets until they are provided access to the hardest-hit areas.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, speaking to The Associated Press after a one-day meeting of 51 donor nations, said he believed a turning point had been reached in getting Myanmar’s isolationist junta to allow foreign aid

workers unhindered entry into the devastated Irrawaddy Delta.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that this could be a turning point for Myanmar to be more flexible, more practical, and face the reality as it is on the ground,” Ban told The AP.

But Myanmar’s leaders – and potential donors – continued to take a guarded tone.

Myanmar’s Prime Minister Lt.-Gen. Thein Sein said international aid “with no strings attached” was welcome. But he hedged on the sensitive issue of direct access, saying only civilian vessels could take part in the aid operation, and they would have to go through Yangon.

“Relief supplies can be transported by land, air or sea,” he said. “But if relief supplies have to be transported by water, civilian vessels can come in through Yangon port.”

That seemed to nix plans for U.S., British and French warships loaded with humanitarian supplies to join in the relief operation. The ships have been off Myanmar’s coast for more than a week.

Myanmar’s leaders have virtually barred foreign aid workers and international agencies from the delta because they fear a large influx of foreigners could lead to political interference in their internal affairs.

The junta is also hesitant to have its people see aid arriving directly from countries such as the United States, which it has long treated as a hostile power seeking to invade or colonize the country.

Thein Sein, saying that about 3,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies have already been delivered from abroad, presented a long list of urgent needs, including temporary shelters, rice seeds, fertilizer and fishing boats.

Official estimates put the death toll about 78,000, with another 56,000 missing.

Myanmar has estimated the economic damage at nearly $11 billion and the United Nations has launched an emergency appeal for $201 million.

At Sunday’s meeting:

* The European Community, which has already pledged $72.5 million, offered another $26.8 million.

* China boosted its pledge to $11 million.

* Australia pledged $24 million.

* The Philippines doubled its previous pledge to $20 million.

* South Korea upped an earlier pledge for a total of $2.5 million.

Ban said the relief operation would last at least six months.