Bush Orders Flag Tribute To Tsunami Victims

Bush Orders Flag Tribute to Tsunami Victims

Reuters

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush, seeking to bolster America's humanitarian image after the Asian tsunamis, called on Saturday for flags to be flown at half-staff next week to honor victims of the disaster.

A day after he raised the U.S. aid contribution to $350 million from $35 million, Bush used his weekly radio address to emphasize the need for private relief donations for devastated areas where massive waves killed at least 124,000 people and left 5 million others homeless.

"The carnage is of a scale that defies comprehension," Bush said, noting that $15 million of the U.S. aid has been disbursed to relief organizations in the Indian Ocean region.

"I have signed a proclamation calling for our nation's flag to be flown at half-staff this coming week. As the people of this devastated region struggle to recover, we offer our love and compassion, and our assurance that America will be there to help."

He acknowledged that countries face a daunting task dealing with the consequences of the tsunamis.

"Their relief resources are stretched nearly to the limit," said Bush, whose administration was criticized this week for the pace and scale of its response to the disaster.

The administration initially pledged $15 million for tsunami relief but upped that to $35 million under political pressure. On Friday it announced the amount would be raised to $350 million, but critics say it is still too little.

Bush is sending a delegation led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and including the president's brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, to tour devastated areas in southeast Asia and assess assistance needs.

Critics have noted that the government authorized $13.6 billion in aid for hurricane-battered U.S. states, mainly Florida, before last month's election.

Bush said Americans were making important private donations to the relief effort but urged contributions through the Web site of the federal government's volunteer program, USA Freedom Corps, at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

"Donor and fund-raiser alike represent the best of our country and offer an example to the world," he said. "Let us be mindful that even in this modern age, our world still requires compassion, tolerance and generosity from each of us."