WASHINGTON, March 29 (UPI) -- President Bush offered condolences Tuesday to victims of the earthquake in Indonesia and said the U.S. government was ready to help.
"I do want to say that on behalf of the American people, Laura and I offer our condolences to the victims of yesterday's (Monday's) earthquake in Indonesia," he said. "Our officials have offered initial assistance and are moving quickly to gather information to determine what additional relief is needed.
"The people of Indonesia can know as well that they are -- they have our prayers and that our government is ready to assist."
Bush made the remarks in the Rose Garden of the White House prior to an event to highlight and praise Iraq's movement toward democracy.
The earthquake, measuring about 8.7 on the Richter scale, struck Monday off the coast of Sumatra, the same area where a massive quake on Dec. 26 triggered deadly tsunamis that killed more than 200,000 people.
No new waves were generated, but the death toll from Monday's quake may climb into the thousands. Several hundred deaths already have been confirmed.
Bush had been criticized for his delayed personal response to the December disaster.
