USA: OUTGOING SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL SIGNS CONDOLENCE BOOKS AT THE THAI, INDONESIAN AND SRI LANKAN EMBASSIES FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS
Record ID:
222989
USA: OUTGOING SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL SIGNS CONDOLENCE BOOKS AT THE THAI, INDONESIAN AND SRI LANKAN EMBASSIES FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS
- Title: USA: OUTGOING SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL SIGNS CONDOLENCE BOOKS AT THE THAI, INDONESIAN AND SRI LANKAN EMBASSIES FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS
- Date: 30th December 2004
- Summary: (W6) WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 30, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WIDE OF POWELL SIGNING CONDOLENCE BOOK AT THAI EMBASSY 0.16 2. SLV POWELL SHAKING HANDS WITH THAI EMBASSY OFFICIAL 0.24 3. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL SAYING: "I wanted to extend to the Thai people on behalf of President and Mrs Bush and the American people, our sympathy and condolences to the families of those who are lost and also to show solidarity to those who are in need and our Thai friends and allies. The United States is responding as rapidly as possible. An initial infusion of money, much more money will follow as the need is determined, and as we see how best we see to use those resources. We have dispatched naval forces as well as aircraft are on the way now with relief supplies. More disaster response assessment teams are being sent in. Rescue teams are going in from Los Angeles and Fairfax County to assist in relief efforts. We know the need is great, the United States is a generous nation and we will do everything possible to respond to that need." 1.20 3. SLV POWELL LEAVING ROOM 1.28 4. WIDE OF POWELL ENTERING ROOM AT INDONESIAN EMBASSY AND SITTING DOWN TO SIGN CONDOLENCE BOOK 1.35 5. VARIOUS OF POWELL SIGNING CONDOLENCE BOOK IN INDONESIAN EMBASSY 2.06 6. SLV POWELL LEAVING ROOM 2.12 7. WIDE OF EXTERIOR OF SRI LANKAN EMBASSY, POWELL ENTERING BUILDING 2.22 8. VARIOUS OF POWELL SIGNING CONDOLENCE BOOK IN SRI LANKAN EMBASSY 2.48 9. CLOSE OF SMALL U.S FLAG AND POWELL WRITING IN BOOK 2.58 10. SLV POWELL SHAKING HANDS WITH SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR, DEVINDA SUBASINGHE 3.09 11. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (English) SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR, DEVINDA SUBASINGHE SAYING: "We are satisfied with the response. I spoke with Deputy Secretary Armitage on Sunday morning and he moved very rapidly to meet our needs in a timely precise fashion and that is continuing. And I'm gratified to note again the Secretary's comments that the U.S. will be with us for the long haul." 3.29 12. SLV POWELL LEAVING EMBASSY AND GETTING INTO VEHICLE 3.40 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 14th January 2005 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAAXKJT63OPIB94Y085CCT678R0
- Story Text: U.S. Secretary of State colin Powell signs condolence
books at Thai, Indonesian and Sri Lankan embassies in Washington D.C.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has formally
extended his condolences to some of the countries affected
by the tsunami disaster, by signing condolence books at the
Thai, Indonesian and Sri Lankan Embassies in Washington
D.C. on Thursday (December 30.)
Powell made his first stop at the Embassy of Thailand,
where he told reporters that he "wanted to extend to the
Thai people on behalf of President and Mrs Bush and the
American people, our sympathy and condolences to the
families of those who are lost and also to show solidarity
to those who are in need and our Thai friends and allies."
Powell said that in the last day, the U.S. has sent
several naval planes and disaster assessment teams, as well
as money.
After meeting briefly with diplomatic representatives,
Powell made his way to the Embassy of Indonesia, where he
wrote a message of sympathy in its condolonce book which is
accessible to the members of the public.
Powell then went on to sign the condolence book at the
Sri Lankan Embassy.
He spoke of the need for the U.S. and the international community
to come together to help provide more relief for
Sri Lankan survivors.
The Secretary said the U.S. expects to donate more
funds to relief efforts, in addition to the $35 million
(USD) the U.S. has donated so far.
Sri Lanka's ambassador to the U.S. Devinda Subasinghe
said he has been in contact with the State Department on a
daily basis since the tsunami devastated the Southern Asian
country and he is pleased with the U.S. commitment to Sri
Lanka's long-term recovery.
"We are satisfied with the response. I spoke with
Deputy Secretary Armitage on Sunday morning and he moved
very rapidly to meet our needs in a timely precise fashion
and that is continuing. And I'm gratified to note again
the Secretary's comments that the U.S. will be with us for
the long haul."
The death toll from the Asian tsunami, triggered by a
magnitude 9.0 earthquake off Indonesia, on Thursday stood
at 125,282 people, government and health officials said.
Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India were the countries hit
hardest. Preliminary death tolls are 4,500 dead in
Thailand, just under 80,000 in Indonesia and 27,000 in Sri
Lanka.
The numbers of injured are expected to exceed the
number of dead.
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