Condolences pour in for quake victims<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens from around the
\nglobe offered the Aceh tsunami victims their heartfelt sympathies
\nand pledged aid and assistance to President Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono.<\/p>\n
Copies of condolence letters and offers of help sent to Susilo
\nwere made available to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday by a range of
\nembassies in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
On behalf of the European Union (EU) and the Netherlands, the
\nDutch Queen Beatrix and Prime Minister Balkenende extended their
\nheartfelt sympathies to the victims and relatives of those
\naffected.<\/p>\n
\"The EU stands ready to assist in every way possible to
\nalleviate the sad plight of the victims. To that end it has
\nactivated its Monitoring and Information Center in Brussels to
\ncoordinate the rescue and relief efforts from the European
\nUnion,\" the Queen and Prime Minister said in a declaration.<\/p>\n
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi offered on Monday
\nvictims' families his condolences through a letter sent to
\nSusilo.<\/p>\n
Japan announced on Tuesday assistance of US$1.87 million to
\nIndonesian victims.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta said on Tuesday that Washington
\nhas provided an initial $100,000 to the Indonesian Red Cross for
\nimmediate relief activities. The U.S. is planning to give another
\n$2 million to the Red Cross.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, British aid minister Gareth Thames telephoned
\nIndonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda on Tuesday to convey
\ncondolences on behalf of the British government and Foreign
\nSecretary Jack Straw.<\/p>\n
\"We are ready to respond to the need to help Indonesian people
\nin Aceh by sending two British humanitarian aid advisers
\nimmediately to coordinate our response,\" Thames said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's neighbor India, which is also a victim of the
\ntragedy, conveyed its deep sympathies to the victims' families.<\/p>\n
\"Our sympathies are with the families who have lost their near
\nand dear ones. We pray to the Almighty to give them strength to
\nwithstand this difficult period with courage,\" Indian President
\nA.P.J. Abdul Kalam said in a letter sent to Susilo.<\/p>\n
\"The Government of India stands ready to provide any
\nassistance that you may require,\" Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
\nSingh said in a separate letter sent to Susilo.<\/p>\n
The Chinese Embassy said on Tuesday that Chinese President Hu
\nJintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao had sent a message to
\nSusilo.<\/p>\n
\"The two Chinese leaders extended deep condolences to the
\nIndonesian President and, through President Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono, to the families,\" the Embassy said.<\/p>\n
China has donated $600,000 worth of blankets, tents and food
\nto the victims.<\/p>\n
Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Prime Minister
\nSilvio Berlusconi also conveyed similar message to Susilo.<\/p>\n
\"In the spirit of friendship and collaboration that unite our
\ntwo countries, the Italy is very close to and supportive of
\nIndonesian people in this tragic moment,\" President Ciampi said.<\/p>\n
\"I promptly gave instructions to stand ready and contribute to
\nthe relieve of the population affected. Italy is close to you and
\nto your country in this tragic moment of sorrow,\" Berlusconi said
\nin a letter sent to Susilo.<\/p>\n
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin also expressed on Sunday
\nhis sympathy and support to the quake-hit countries including
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my deep
\nsympathy and condolences to those affected. We extend our
\nthoughts and prayers to all the victims, their families, and
\nothers hit by this terrible disaster,\" Martin said.<\/p>\n
A powerful earthquake measuring on 9.0 on the Richter scale
\nand deadly tsunamis struck Indonesia's two northern provinces --
\nAceh and North Sumatra -- and killed more than 15,000 people.
\nThe death toll may rise further as scores of villages, towns are
\nstill cut off from the outside world.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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