Reply #19: US finally pledges aid... almost 24 hours later

[Chicago Democrat]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States has pledged an initial offering of about $15 million for relief efforts in southern Asia,

(snip)

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters Monday that the federal government sent $400,000 to embassies in the region and would likely have negotiated the release of an additional $4 million to the International Red Cross by the end of the day.

And USAID spokesman Ed Fox said the remaining money would be made available as quickly as possible. Powell said it was a "quick infusion to stabilize, get supplies in and plan for the long haul."

The U.S. Pacific Command has also sent three Navy P-3 Orion surveillance planes from Kadena Air Base, Japan, to Utaphao, Thailand, to help survey the area

Rest at...
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/27/quake.aid/index.html

About time King George!