Powell: Disaster could lead to dialogue
Calls humanitarian effort 'American values in action'
 | |
| |
|  VIDEO |
 Secretary of State Powell accesses tsunami damage in Asia.
 Relief efforts in Banda Aceh were stalled when a U.S. cargo aircraft hit cattle on the runway.
 A Sri Lankan teacher is now hailed a hero after leading dozens to safety.
 Could a tsunami warning system have saved hundreds of lives?
|
|
JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday he hoped something positive could emerge from the tsunami disaster, particularly in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, two nations plagued for years by long-standing armed separatist movements.
"We hope that this crisis, with respect to the situation in Aceh, as well as to the situation in Sri Lanka with the Tamil Tigers ... might create some openings that might permit greater political dialogue," Powell told a news conference after his arrival in Jakarta.
"Some level of cooperation in dealing with this humanitarian crisis might translate into a higher level of political dialogue and cooperation. Let that be our hope."
Powell also said the so-called Paris Club of creditor nations will be meeting soon and will consider restructuring Indonesia's debt to make it "less of a burden on their budget for the immediate future."
Indonesia suffered the most among the 11 nations hit by the December 26 earthquake and tsunamis. The estimated death toll in the region had reached 155,000 by Tuesday. More than 94,000 of the dead were in Indonesia.
The Paris Club is composed of 19 permanent members -- including the United States, Germany, Great Britain, France and Russia. It works to find sustainable solutions to payment dilemmas experienced by debtor nations.
Powell said the United States is throwing its financial and military weight into relief efforts not to gain favor in the Islamic world but because it is what Americans do.
The opportunity for Muslims to see "American values in action" is a welcome byproduct, he said.
"The United States is responding the way it is because this is a human catastrophe," Powell said. "In my career in public service, I have never seen anything like this."
Indonesia, where Powell will attend Thursday's summit of officials from donor nations and those affected by the tsunamis, is the largest Muslim nation in the world. Among those attending will be U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. (Full story)
Powell said Indonesian Foreign Minister Nur Hassan Wirajuda set up the meeting so that those who attend can "hear from each of affected countries to see what happened and what help they need."
"We are doing it regardless of religion," Powell said, "but I think it does give the Muslim world -- and the rest of the world -- an opportunity to see American generosity, American values in action, where we care about the dignity of every individual and the worth of every individual."
He added, "American is not an anti-Islam, an anti-Muslim nation. America is a diverse society. We respect all religions."
Powell said the United States has so far pledged $350 million for the relief -- and promises more if needed -- "because of the human dimensions of this catastrophe."
"And it turns out that a majority of those nations are Muslim nations," he said. "We'd be doing it if they weren't."
Japan pledged $500 million for relief efforts, the largest single contribution. Norway's plan to pledge about $180 million, announced Monday, would make its contribution the largest per capita by a wide margin. (Full story)
The U.S. military is also assisting relief efforts, and President Bush on Monday tapped two former presidents -- his father, George H.W. Bush, and his predecessor, Bill Clinton -- to drive private donations. (Full story)
Powell and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's brother, flew into Jakarta Tuesday after visiting Thailand's Phuket Island. (Full story)
Powell also said that he and Wirajuda had discussed limitations that are in place regarding Indonesia's military that have limited some of the country's ability to acquire equipment such as helicopters.
"The minister did raise it with me, and I told him I would look into it immediately and see what could be done," he said. "That's all I will say now."
