Obama pledges support to Haitian President Preval
By DPA, IANSFriday, January 15, 2010
WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama spoke by telephone with Haitian President Rene Preval Friday morning, pledging full support of the United States in the ongoing earthquake relief effort.
Obama and Preval spoke for about 30 minutes, stressing the importance of coordination as aid pours into Haiti from countries, aid organisations and the United Nations.
The two leaders had not been able to speak since Tuesday afternoon’s massive earthquake, due to poor communicationin the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, where some 50,000 people are feared dead.
Obama told Preval “the world has been devastated by the loss and suffering in Haiti”, according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. He promised support for both the immediate and long-term recovery.
Preval told Obama he was “touched by the friendship of the American people” and appreciated the support from the US and other countries around the world.
The US has pledged 100 million dollars in aid to Haiti and is sending thousands of emergency rescue and military personnel.
