Bush expresses condolences, solidarity with quake victims

WASHINGTON—President Bush told Pakistan’s Ambassador on Friday that “we want to help in any way we can” after last week’s South Asia earthquake that is estimated to have killed more than 35,000 people in Pakistan. Bush visited Pakistan’s Embassy to sign a book of condolences and meet with Jehangir Karamat, the Pakistani Ambassador.
“I’m here to express the condolences of the American people to those who have suffered mightily,” he said during a brief statement. Bush wrote in the book that “the American people will stand with you as you recover.” Afterward, he called Pakistan a friend and pledged America’s support.
“There’s been a lot of damage, and we want to help in any way we can,” Bush said, adding, “So not only will we offer our prayers, but we’ll offer our help”.
Bush said the United States has moved military equipment into the area and is offering humanitarian aid.
Rescue workers on Friday abandoned the search for survivors who may have been trapped following the 7.6-magnitude quake that hit on Oct. 8. Officials said there was little hope of finding more people alive amid the rubble of the tens of thousands of buildings that collapsed.
Punjab Chief Minister, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi, has said that he is in constant contact with the provincial administration and personally supervising relief activities for the earthquake-affectees.
He was addressing a function arranged to collect donations from overseas Pakistanis for the calamity-stricken people, in Washington on Friday, says a handout. A large number of Pakistanis living in America attended the ceremony held at the residence of prominent cardiologist Dr. Mubashar Chaudhry.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to America Jahangir Karamat in his speech appreciated the American assistance for earthquake effectees and said that such functions should be arranged throughout America for the benefit of people of devastated areas.—Agencies