Foreign Aid Is Welcome, Mexico Says

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico — The government softened its stand on accepting foreign aid Wednesday as cloudy skies threatened to bring more rain and misery to survivors of more than a week of flooding and mudslides.

The government rushed to clarify its position on foreign aid after President Ernesto Zedillo indicated earlier this week that Mexico did not need outside help in dealing with the natural disaster that has hit nine states, killed hundreds and driven more than 200,000 from their homes.

“We’ve already begun accepting [international aid],” Foreign Minister Rosario Green said. “Resources have begun to arrive,” she added, listing Canada, the United States and European countries among those sending aid.

An earlier Foreign Ministry statement said Mexico was not rejecting foreign aid, but rather did not want to be flooded by perishable goods that could not be quickly transported to victims.