Bush forms international aid coalition

The US, India, Australia and Japan have formed an international coalition to coordinate worldwide relief and reconstruction efforts for the Asian region ravaged by a deadly earthquake and tsunamis, President George Bush announced today.

“We will stand with them as they start to rebuild their communities,” Bush said from his Texas ranch in his first comments on the disaster.

Bush pledged a multifaceted response from the United States that goes far beyond the €25m initially pledged, including US military manpower and damage surveillance teams in the short term and long-term rebuilding assistance.

He also called on Americans to private donate cash to relief organisations to augment the response.

“This has been a terrible disaster. It is beyond our comprehension,” the president said.