Bush sends aircraft carrier group (8:58 a.m.)
WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush offered condolences Tuesday to those in the Philippines harmed by Typhoon Fengshen and said that the U.S. was sending the carrier USS Ronald Reagan to the scene to help.
“We’re happy to do it,” Bush told President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after a meeting at the White House. “We want to help our friends in a time of need.”
Bush said that the aircraft carrier and other Navy assets will move into place immediately. The powerful storm hit over the weekend, leaving dozens dead in flooded communities in the central Philippines. Also, a ferry carrying about 850 people capsized Saturday during the height of the storm. Only about three dozen survivors have been found so far. 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 port on Sunday, a day early, because of safety concerns related to the typhoon. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has about 6,000 sailors aboard.
Typhoon Fengshen’s strength weakened to a tropical storm Tuesday.
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 that 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 Mindanao, where al-Qaeda-linked militants have a stronghold.
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.” (AP)
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