Clinton vows assistance to Japan after earthquake disaster

PARIS, March 15 (KUNA) -- US Secretary-of-State Hilary Clinton earlier on Tuesday vowed assistance to Japan after that country suffered massive damage last Friday in an 9.0 Richter scale earthquake and the ensuing Tsunami that swept the eastern seaboard of Japan.
Clinton met here on the sidelines of the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taeke Matsumoto to discuss the aftermath of the natural disaster, which killed at least 2,500 people, with many thousands still missing.
The two officials discussed several issues but particularly US assistance in dealing with the dangerous nuclear situation because of the damage done and the explosions at three of Japan's nuclear reactors. Other facilities are also reported to have problems with cooling the dangerous reactors after they were damaged by the Tsunami.
Sources at the US State Department indicated that the US was sending expert teams to monitor the situation and evaluate reported leaks at the nuclear sites and contain any leaks. They are expected to arrive in the coming hours.
Clinton said that she wanted "to express, on behalf of the United States, both our condolence and our solidarity with the government and people of Japan.
" "Japan is always a very generous donor to any disaster anywhere in the world, and today, the world must come together to support Japan in its hour of need," she added that the two ministers were discussing "specifics" on what the US could offer in the way of assistance.
The sources quoted Matsumoto as expressing gratitude for the international reaction to the disaster in Japan.
"We have already been receiving a lot of assistance from the international community," he said when meeting Clinton.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was among the first world leaders to order immediate assistance for the Japanese people after the disaster March 11.
On March 12, HH the Amir ordered the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society (KRCS) to send humanitarian relief to those affected by the catastrophe.
HH the Amir expressed Kuwait's "solidarity with Japan in this ordeal" and extended condolences to the victims and a speedy recovery for those wounded in the earthquake and the Tsunami that followed.
The Japanese official, meeting with Clinton, also said more help might be required from the international community and he said that his country appreciated the "assistance and also (the) encouragement" received from the United States. (end) jk.bs KUNA 152157 Mar 11NNNN