Bush praises U.S. tsunami response
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush praised the United States' response to the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster on Thursday, and said the U.S. military's relief efforts are greatly appreciated.
"Our military is making a significant difference in providing relief and aid and help and compassion for those who have suffered," the president said as he and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld left a Pentagon briefing.
"I am very impressed, Mr. Secretary, about how quickly we have responded and the assets that you have ordered deployed to help these people."
As of Thursday, more than 15,000 U.S. troops were providing relief support in the region, according to the Defense Department's Web site.
Most of the personnel were serving on the more than two dozen ships that have been deployed.
More than 2,600 troops are on the ground in the region -- 1,423 in Thailand, 618 in Sri Lanka and 382 in Indonesia. There are also 187 troops in Malaysia and eight in Bangladesh, the Pentagon said.
"There's a lot of talk about how some in the world don't appreciate America," Bush continued. "I can assure you that those that our military has helped appreciate America."
The president said Rumsfeld also briefed him on terrorism.
"We're constantly reviewing our strategy as to how to defeat the enemy," he said. "(I) fully recognize that the war on terror will require a coordinated effort within our own government as well as a coordinated effort with countries around the world which understand the stakes of this war."
Bush said he was "pleased" with the response from other countries.
"(I) appreciate so many nations understanding that we must work together to defeat these killers," the president said. "I am mindful of the fact that we have constantly got to review our plans and never lose our will."
Bush also praised Rumsfeld, who has come under fire in recent months for what critics say was his failure to adequately plan for the occupation of Iraq.
"You're doing a fine job on behalf of the American people," he said.
