Pope, Europe Leaders Call for Quake Aid

[Chicago Democrat]

Pope, Europe Leaders Call for Quake Aid
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: December 26, 2004

Filed at 10:21 a.m. ET

ROME (AP) -- Pope John Paul II appealed for swift international aid to help thousands of victims from Sunday's massive tidal waves that swamped coastal areas across southern Asia -- triggered by the world's most powerful earthquake in 40 years.

(snip)

In Brussels, European Union Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Luis Michel said it was important to deliver aid ``in those vital hours and days immediately after the disaster.'' The 25-nation EU will deliver $4 million in emergency aid as a start.

``For all the huge advances in the control of our lives through science and technology, an earthquake on this scale is truly humbling as well as profoundly tragic,'' said British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

British consular officials were called from vacation and aid efforts were being organized.

rest at....
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Earthquake-Worldview.html?oref=login