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Where EAST meets the Northwest
DEADLY TYPHOON. President Bush, right, gestures during a meeting with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Bush offered condolences to those in the Philippines harmed by Typhoon Fengshen and said the U.S. was sending the carrier USS Ronald Reagan to the scene to help. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
From The Asian Reporter, V18, #26 (July 1, 2008), page 8.
Bush sends aircraft carrier group to help Philippines after Typhoon Fengshen
WASHINGTON (AP) — President George W. Bush offered condolences to those in the Philippines harmed by Typhoon Fengshen and said the U.S. was sending the carrier USS Ronald Reagan to the scene to help.
"We’re happy to do it," Bush told Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after a meeting at the White House. "We want to help our friends in a time of need."
Bush said the aircraft carrier and other Navy assets will move into place immediately. The powerful storm hit more than a week ago, leaving several hundred dead in flooded communities in the central Philippines. Also, a ferry carrying about 850 people capsized during the height of the storm. Only about four dozen survivors had been found at press time. U.S. ships were helping with the search-and-rescue effort.
Bush sent prayers on behalf of fellow Americans.
"I know there’s some families that are hurting," he said. "Some are wondering whether or not their loved ones will reappear."
The Ronald Reagan strike group consists of the carrier, a cruiser, three destroyers, and a frigate. The group left about 100 American sailors behind in Hong Kong when it had to depart, a day early, because of safety concerns related to the typhoon. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has about 6,000 sailors aboard.
Bush said the leaders also talked about a food crisis in the Philippines, where shortages have led to soaring prices and rationing. He assured Arroyo the U.S. would continue to help. "We helped with rice in the past," Bush said. "And this is a time where America needs to step up, and we will, Madam President."
Bush also praised Arroyo for her "strong stand on counterterrorism" and for "laying out a vision for peace."
American soldiers are providing counterterrorism training to troops in the Philippines, where al-Qaida-linked militants have a stronghold in the south.
Arroyo has "been very strong in having a, you know, a carrots-and-sticks approach," Bush continued. "The sticks, of course, say, ‘We’re not going to allow for people to terrorize our citizens.’ The carrot approach is that there’s peace available."