Remarks of MEA Spokesperson on relief efforts in the wake of Tsunami

New Delhi
31/12/2004

Official Spokesperson: Good Afternoon. I thought I would give you an update on various aspects of the Tsunami relief work that is going on. As you now yesterday I had mentioned that a teleconference had taken place at the Foreign Secretaries’ level with various other counterparts from the Group of 4 countries. 

This morning another call took place. There was an additional member added to the core group, which was Mr. Egland, UN Relief Coordinator. He would be representing the UN in terms of the coordinated relief effort. Mr. Marc Grossman, Under Secretary of State Department also reported on the video conferencing that was held yesterday between the UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan and the Heads of Mission of India, Japan and Australia in Washington. US Secretary of State had joined the teleconferencing as a special gesture and the World Bank President Mr. Wolfensohn had also been present. 

The Group had underlined that it was there to support the efforts of the UN in coordinating international relief effort in South and South-East Asia. Mr. Egland briefed the Group on what the UN was planning to do which includes launching an international appeal at UN headquarters on January 6 and which is likely to be followed by a Donors’ Pledging Conference in Geneva on January 11. 

As far as India is concerned Foreign Secretary has already briefed them on the efforts that India has made for extending assistance to Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia and Thailand and this was acknowledged by the other members of the Group. He also informed them that the Indian Navy hospital ship would be arriving in Aceh, Indonesia on January 2. The Military Attaches in the US and Indian Embassies in Jakarta were already in touch with each other in order to coordinate efforts with a similar hospital ship that the US had dispatched to the area. 

I might add here itself that another Indian Naval ship the INS Khukri will be sailing for Indonesia today from Chennai carrying relief supplies, such as tents, blankets, emergency rations and emergency medical supplies. So, that makes two ships which are on the way to Indonesia. 

To go back to the core group efforts, the Australians have sent a paper indicating gaps that need to be filled in terms of the relief effort and we have promised that we would be studying these and see whether we can offer additional assistance in these areas. 

It was also mentioned by the Foreign Secretary to the group that the group could explore the possibility of setting up on an urgent basis an early warning system in the affected area because lack of information was leading to avoidable anxiety, panic and stress. While there is no permanent warning system deployed in the area, there is a possibility of a floating seismic monitoring vessel being stationed temporarily, to provide such early warning. Both the American and the Australian members of the group promised to look into this possibility and to get back on the proposal as soon as possible, possibly tomorrow morning. 

Similarly, we are also asking our Defence Attache in Bangkok to be in touch with the UN representative for coordinating logistical aspects of the relief supplies there. 

So, this was an update on the teleconference today. Possibly this group will be in touch tomorrow. That is the situation. The other details of Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka, I have already given to you yesterday. 

Let me add that today External Affairs Minister got two phone calls. One was from the Chinese Foreign Minister who expressed his concern and condolences at the loss of life in India. They discussed the various relief efforts and EAM shared with him what was being done for the affected in India and also the external aspects of our relief efforts. 

External Affairs Minister also received a call from the Foreign Minister of Indonesia Dr. Hassan Wirajuda who informed him of the Special ASEAN Summit that is being organized in Jakarta, I understand, on January 6 and extended an invitation for India to be present. This is an ASEAN summit and I understand the other invitees include China, Japan, ROK, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Australia, New Zealand, US, World Bank, UN Secretary General, WHO, ADB and the European Union, the European Commission. Presumably this is the complete list. External Affairs Minster expressed deep concern at huge loss of life in Indonesia and also told him about the tragic effects that the Tsunami has had in India and also that India had tried to make a modest toward effecting relief to Indonesia. So, this invitation has been received and would be under active consideration.