Bush Names Ex-Presidents to Asia Relief Effort (Update1)
Jan. 3 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush named two former presidents, his father George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, to lead a nationwide fund-raising effort to aid victims of the Asian tsunamis.
``The devastation in the region defies comprehension,'' Bush, flanked by the two former presidents, said at the White House. ``We're here to ask our fellow citizens to join in a broad human relief effort.''
Bush asked Americans to donate directly to ``reliable charities'' that understand the resources needed. ``Cash donations are the most useful,'' he said.
The toll from Asia's earthquake and tsunamis climbed to as many as 155,000 dead as more bodies were uncovered in Indonesia, the country worst hit by the deadliest disaster in almost three decades.
Japan is the biggest donor among 44 countries that have promised aid, pledging $500 million. The U.S. has promised $350 million, the U.K. $96 million and Sweden $75 million. Canada doubled its aid promise to $80 million yesterday. China increased its contribution to $60 million, and Taiwan upped its pledge 10- fold to $50 million.
Corporate Donors
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the president's brother, are in Asia for a four-day tour of the stricken areas.
Following today's announcement, former presidents Clinton and Bush accompanied President Bush to the embassies of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia to sign condolence books. They offered bouquets of roses and Bush told Indian ambassador Ranendra Sen that he planned to make a trip to India this year.
Starbucks Corp, Kimberly-Clark Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Coca- Cola Co., FedEx Corp. and Pfizer Inc. are among U.S. companies that have taken steps to provide aid. FedEx said it will ship approximately 200,000 pounds of medical supplies from the U.S. to both Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Pfizer is donating $35 million in cash and medication and Starbucks said it will donate $2 for every pound of Sumatra coffee it sells in the U.S. and four other Western countries this month.
Other companies that have announced donations include Citigroup Inc., the world's biggest financial services company, drugmaker Abbott Laboratories and Cisco Systems Inc.
To contact the reporter on this story:
Roger Runningen at rrunningen@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Glenn Hall at ghall@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: January 3, 2005 11:59 EST |
