World leaders pledge full support to quake relief
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—World leaders in their separate messages to President General Pervez Musharraf have assured full support to Pakistan, saying they will continue to extend all assistance to help the people in quake-hit areas.
Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi said Italy united with Pakistan by tight bonds of friendship and collaboration, felt close to Pakistani nation in this tragic circumstance.
Queen Beatrix R. of Netherlands said she shared anguish at the news of the terrible earthquake that has claimed so many lives in your country.
“I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured,” the Queen said.
Austrian President Heinz Fischer, expressing deep shock over the tragedy said, the powerful forces of nature could never be fully understood or predicted and this was a costly reminder of that truth.
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said, it was not possible to express in words a sea of tragedy and despair of the people who lost their family members and possessions, developed sometimes by many generations.
“After the disaster in Iran, South East Asia and United States, this tragic earthquake in Pakistan is another natural phenomenon, which transfixes all of us by dimensions of destruction and numbers of victims,” he added. He assured that Poland would come with the help to Pakistan in reconstruction of damaged cities, towns and villages.
Many other leaders who sent messages to President to express their solidarity and support included Finland President Tajra Halonen, Estonian President Arnold Ruutel, Romanian President Traian Basescu, President of Portuguese, Jorge Sampaio, President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko, President of Lithuania Valadas Adomkus, President of Hungary Laszlo Solyom and President of Slovak, Ivan Gasparovic.
APP adds: A cargo aircraft of the USAID carrying 5000 blankets, 1000 cherry canes and 420 roles of plastic sheets arrived here at the Chaklala Airbase. An Airbus from Canada carrying a team of 140 Army doctors landed here.The doctors team was immediately rushed to the quake-affected areas.
Similarly, a boeing 747 of China Southern cargo carrying 95 tonnes of blankets and other goods arrived here early Wednesday. A boeing aircraft from Lebya load with 130 box of medicines,980 plastic sheets, blankets arrived here.
A cargo aircraft from Geneva carrying 40 tonnes tents, kitchens and food items landed at the airbase. A C-130 of Turkish Air Force carrying 10.5 tonnes of medical equipments, medicines, water and 22 health persons landed at the Chaklala Airbas. Three Ministers of the Turkish government were also accompanied with the relief goods.
Similarly, two more helicopters one each from Russia and Tajikistan arrived to join the ongoing rescue and relief operations. The total number of helicopters has now reached to 50 including, USA-12, Afghanistan-4,Germany-2, Japan-4, Russian and Tajikistan one each while the rest are of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Navy.
The sources close to ISPR told APP that two new base camps have been established to further speed up the relief operation for feeding the affected areas of Jehlum and Neelum valleys. The relief goods to Jehlum valley are arriving by road and their further tranportation to the forward areas is being carried out by elcopters.
However, relief goods to the Neelum valley base camp are arriving by helicopters and the same are further being transported to forward areas through helicopters. The base camps would not only ensure the timely and smooth flow of aid to the quake affectees but also regulate the vital aid goods being sent to the inaccessible areas, they added.