21 Mar, 2011
Source: Pattaya Daily News
BEIJING – Leaders from around the world, including South Korea, U.S., Cambodia, Thailand and Serbia, gave their condolences to Japan while offering relief aids as the country deals with aftershocks and radiation leaks following the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
More than 6,900 people are confirmed dead and another 10,700 are missing. The disaster also damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant in which workers were battling under dangerous conditions to prevent a major radiation leakage.
Thailand’s, Majesties the King and Queen have sent their heartfelt condolences to emperor of Japan after Friday’s earthquake and tsunami.
“The Queen and I are deeply distressed and saddened by reports of the earthquake and tsunami which have left in their wakes immense loss of human lives and untold devastation,” King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 83, said in a message to Emperor Akihito.
“We wish to extend our sincerest sympathy and condolences to Your Majesty and, through you, to all those who have been inflicted with loss and bereavements in this natural disaster.”
Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, also sent his deepest condolences to those who have been affected by the disaster via a message to Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
“I am confident that under your strong leadership, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts will be carried out effectively,” said Mr Abhisit in his message.
“Thailand stands ready to assist Japan in mitigating the effects of these natural disasters.”
The government has announced it is providing five million baht in immediate financial aid for Japan. The Foreign Ministry also said 24 rescuers and six sniffer dogs were headed to Japan Sunday help in search efforts.
Prime Minister Abhisit has assigned Foreign Affairs and Labour ministries to set up a help centre for Thais in Japan. He promised Thailand will consider providing other types of aid to Japan.
There are an estimated 50,000 Thais living in Japan, about 300 of them in the Miyagi prefecture that was hardest hit by the tsunami, the ministry said. No Thai casualties have been reported.
Chinese President, Hu Jintao, visited the Japanese Ambassador Niwa Uichiro in Beijing on Friday afternoon. Hu told the Ambassador that on behalf of the Chinese government and people, he extended his sincere sympathies to the Japanese people as well as condolences to the victims of the earthquake.
Hu said that the Chinese people deeply felt the pain that the Japanese people are feeling since two countries are only separated by a narrow strip of seawater.
The Japanese Ambassador, Niwa said that the Chinese government has immediately sent out a 15-member rescue team to help its neighbor with relief work. Hu added that China will continue to provide necessary assistance to Japan.
“We wish the Japanese people would overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homeland at an early date,” Hu said.
Hu also thanked the Japanese government for helping the Chinese citizens in the quake stricken areas.
“The people of Japan have been carrying out quake relief operations with the aid of the international community,” the Japanese ambassador said. “The Japanese government will strive to ensure the safety of the Chinese nationals in Japan and spare no efforts to provide assistance and convenience for them.”
U.S. President Barack Obama visited the Japanese embassy on Thursday and signed the condolence book, as a way to “to communicate how heartbroken the American people are over the tragedy.”
“We feel a great urgency to provide assistance to those who have been displaced from their homes who are suffering enormously at this moment.” Obama said.
“We are doing everything we can to stand by our great friend and ally in Japan in this hour of need,” Obama continued. “Our deepest sympathies, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost.”
On Friday South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited Masatoshi Muto, the Japanese Ambassador to South Korea, and extended his condolences to Japanese earthquake victims.
“We all offer our condolences to the victims. (We) believe Japan will recover soon, and the Republic of Korea will stand by Japan as the closest neighbor,” he wrote in a condolence book, according to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
South Korea has promised to provide Japan with all possible assistance after the devastating earthquake.
Cambodia Prime Minister, Hun Sen on Friday along with his deputies, senior ministers and ministers signed a letter expressing deep sympathy to those of died in Japan, at the Embassy of Japan to Cambodia.
On Thursday Serbian President, Boris Tadic, signed a book of condolences at the Japanese Embassy in Belgrade, expressing their deepest sympathy to the Japanese people and stated that his government was prepared to assist Japan in any ways as requested.
“This is a moment in which the whole world is united in offering help to Japan, just like Japan has always been ready to help everyone else,” Tadic wrote in the book of condolences.
Toshio Tsunozaki, the Japanese ambassador to Serbia, expressed his gratitude for the offer of assistance in helping his country overcome its misfortune.
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