Obama Offers Aid to Japan
The AP reports:
The United States moved to send aid to earthquake-ravaged Japan Friday, as the first waves from the resulting tsunami swamped Hawaii beaches and grazed the West Coast.
President Barack Obama huddled with senior advisers at the White House to discuss plans to assist Japan, as well as the U.S. states and territories that could be affected. The Pentagon ordered a number of U.S. military ships to move toward Japan, preparing to render aid and bring supplies if needed.
Obama said in an early morning statement that his administration would "continue to closely monitor tsunamis around Japan and the Pacific going forward" and he directed FEMA to mobilize.
The largest earthquake in Japan's history — measured at a magnitude of 8.9 — pummeled the eastern coast of Japan Friday, accompanied by a towering tsunami. Hundreds were dead or missing.
FEMA administrator Craig Fugate said tsunami warnings and watches have been issued for the U.S. territories of Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, and coastal areas in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington.
Fugate urged people living in those areas to monitor their local news for instructions from their state and local officials, and evacuate if ordered to do so. And the Coast Guard said it was making preparations to provide support where necessary.
It said that Coast Guard cutter and aircraft crews were positioning themselves to be ready to conduct response and survey missions as soon as conditions allow.
Obama's chief of staff Bill Daley notified the president about the earthquake in Japan at 4 a.m. Washington time. Obama said the U.S. is ready to support the Japanese people "in this time of great trial."
"The friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakeable," he said, "and only strengthens our resolve to stand with the people of Japan as they overcome this tragedy."
"Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan, particularly those who have lost loved ones in the earthquake and tsunamis," Obama's statement said.
The president was expected to discuss the situation in Japan and on the West Coast during a White House news conference early Friday afternoon. In advance of the news conference, Obama talked by telephone to Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
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