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Helping out Japanese people top priority for Spain -- Zapatero

MADRID, March 16 (KUNA) -- Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that helping out Japan to get over the consequences of the earthquake and devastating tsunami is a top priority for Spain. Zapatero said at a press conference here on Wednesday that giving assistance to Japan and offering humanitarian aid to Japanese people is prior to the procedures to ensure the safety of nuclear plants in Spain.
"We will carry out security checks at all nuclear plants in view of the nuclear accidents in quake-stricken Japan, and we will also investigate the risks that earthquakes or flooding could pose to nuclear plants," Zapatero revealed.
"Spanish nuclear plants have rigorous safety standards, however, new measures would be taken if necessary" Zapetero said.
He said the situation witnessed by Japan today should serve as lessons to enhance the safety of nuclear plants in the future and to help to take appropriate measures in other countries in the light of the scientifically proven results, which in turn will prop up political decisions in this area. The Japanese government announced today that the confirmed death toll from Friday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and devastating tsunami that hit northeastern and eastern Japan has jumped to 3,771 and 7,843 people remained missing, while Some 25,460 people have been rescued so far by troops, police, firefighters, and the Coast Guard.(end) hnd.ajs KUNA 161625 Mar 11NNNN