World leaders, organizations extend condolence to quake-stricken countries

World leaders and organizations have extended their condolences to countries that have been severely hit by the davastating earthquake in South Asia.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called his Pakistani counterpart Shaukat Aziz on Saturday, expressing sorrow over the losses and pledging help.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Sunday sent a message to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to express his condolences for the huge casualties caused by the devastating earthquake, according to a news release from the Presidential Office.

In the message, Roh expressed his deep sorrow for the enormous human suffering and property damage experienced by Pakistan and prayed for its speedy rehabilitation, the release said.

Asian Development Bank

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that their deepest sympathies go to the victims and their families, as well as the people and governments of the affected countries, following the earthquake that devastated parts of Afghanistan, India and Pakistan on Saturday.

Australia

Australian Parliamentary Security for Foreign Affairs Bruce Billson offered condolence to the victims in the earthquake in a statement on Sunday.

"We offer Australia's condolences to the families of the victims and continue to closely monitor the situation and stand ready to consider additional requests for assistance as further needs become known," he said.

China's response

Jiang Yiman, executive vice president of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), on Sunday sent a letter of sympathy to Jahan Dad Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, over the strong earthquake that jolted the South Asian country on Saturday.

"On behalf of the Red Cross Society of China and my own behalf, I would like to extend to you and through you, to all the bereaved families and victims, our sincerest concern and sympathy," Jiang said.

"At this time of need, our hearts are with you. We strongly believe that with your leadership and your colleagues' efforts, the Pakistani Red Crescent will help the affected people overcome their hardships soon. We sincerely wish that the people of the affected areas would be able to return to their normal life in the shortest possible time," she said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday sent a message of sympathy to his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf over the quake on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name.

On the same day, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also extended sympathy to their Pakistani counterparts, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, over the deadly quake.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Sunday sent condolence to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf over the devastation wrought by a massive South Asia earthquake and donated 100,000 US dollars to quake victims, according to a statement issued by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Thailand, I wish to extend my sincere sympathy and condolence to Your Excellency and, through you, to the bereaved families who are affected by this terrible disaster. We are deeply grieved by the continuing rise in death toll and number of those injured," said the message.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent a cable of condolences Sunday to his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf expressing his strong sorrow over the earthquake that claimed many lives.

Assad, meanwhile, expressed his confidence that the Pakistani people will overcome the ordeal of this disaster, according to the official SANA news agency.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday night sent condolence letters to President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India over the massive earthquake that caused heavy casualties and damages in South Asia.

Lee said that he was deeply saddened to hear of the earthquake in South Asia, which has caused devastation and heavy loss of life in Pakistan.

He said that the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) was preparing to dispatch a 44-member Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) to help Pakistan's relief and rescue operations.

He added that Singapore would also be making a donation, and sending medical and relief supplies for the victims of this catastrophe.

In his letter to Singh, Lee said that he would like to convey Singapore¡¯s condolences and deepest sympathies to the Indian leader and to the families of the victims.

The premier said that India demonstrated resilience and resolve in the wake of the December 2004 tsunami, and he was confident that it would once again respond decisively to this challenge.

By People's Daily Online