U.S. Officials Extend Concern, Condolences to Japan

U.S. Officials Extend Concern, Condolences to Japan After Quake

By Charlene Porter and Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writers

Washington - President Obama conveyed condolences and friendship to Japan and its people in the wake of a major earthquake that struck March 11 near the city of Honshu.

"The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial," the president's statement said. "The friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakeable, and only strengthens our resolve to stand with the people of Japan as they overcome this tragedy."

Preliminary measurements put the quake at 8.9 magnitude, which is considered a "great" event, and just shy of what is considered a "devastating" earthquake of 9.0 on the Richter scale.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton echoed the president's concerns, as State Department resources mobilized to help those affected. "The U.S. government has offered immediate disaster relief assistance, and we are working closely with the government of Japan to provide additional help. Our consular officers in Japan and in the United States are working to gather information and assist U.S. citizens in Japan who may have been affected by the earthquake," she said in a statement.

The Japanese government confirmed via a tweet that it will accept U.S. offers of assistance.

"We have been and remain in close contact with the government of Japan and we're working with them at this point just to assess their immediate needs and how best we can respond," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a morning briefing.

The U.S. 7th Fleet, with operating bases in Japan and Guam, has expressed its readiness to provide assistance. According to the Defense Department's Armed Forces Press Service (AFPS), several U.S. Navy vessels are getting ready to respond to the disaster.

The USS Tortuga, in Sasebo, Japan, is preparing to load landing craft and head toward areas affected by the disaster. The USS Essex, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, had arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, early on March 11 and was preparing to depart for Japan later in the day.

The USS Blue Ridge, which is the command flagship of the 7th Fleet, is loading a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief kit and is making preparations to sail from Singapore on March 12. These kits cover the needs of about 10,000 people for three months.

In addition, AFPS reported that the USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group, which is in the western Pacific and on its way to Korea, is also prepared to respond if directed.

"We are assessing the situation and positioning forces so that they are ready to respond and provide disaster relief if directed," Navy Commander Leslie Hull-Ryde told AFPS.

Vice President Biden is on official travel to Moldova, and he diverged from a statement with Prime Minister Vlad Filat to address his sympathies to the Japanese.

"The thoughts and prayers of the American people - and I'm sure the Moldovan people when they find out - are with our friends in Japan."

Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, also expressed concern, sympathy and a willingness to assist.

"First responders and military forces from Japan and the United States train regularly to react to natural disasters, and just as we have worked together to aid countries such as Burma, Indonesia and the Philippines, we will spare no effort now as rescue and recovery operations get under way in Japan," Kerry said.

In Tokyo, Ambassador John V. Roos spoke to Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto shortly after the event. "I ... expressed my deepest condolences to the people of Japan on the occasion of this unprecedented tragedy," he said. "As I told the foreign minister, the United States and our forces here in Japan stand ready to help."

ENDS

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