[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 1 (Monday, January 10, 2005)]
[Pages 6-7]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks After Signing the Book of Condolence at the Indian Embassy and 
an Exchange With Reporters

January 3, 2005

    Q. Mr. President, you have come this far; are you planning to extend 
your visit someday to India? It could be before your Presidency----
    The President. Well, I appreciate that very much. I was just telling 
the Ambassador, when I spoke to the Prime Minister I assured him that my 
intentions were to make it this year to India. In the meantime, though, 
our

[[Page 7]]

country stands with the people who have suffered. We want the Indian 
Government, the Indian people to know that we'll help in any way we can. 
I've asked President Clinton and President Bush to lead an effort to 
raise private contributions to go to the families of those who have 
suffered and to help provide food, medicine, water, shelter, whatever 
the Indian Government thinks is necessary.
    I want to thank the Indian Government for taking a lead in this 
issue. One of the first things that we did was to put together a core 
group of nations, nations that are capable of organizing relief efforts 
around the region. And the Indian Government has been especially strong 
as a part of this core group. And I told the Ambassador to thank the 
Prime Minister for his very strong leadership.
    Our navies are coordinating together; our search and rescues are 
coordinating together. And now the American people and the American 
Government want to help where help is needed.
    Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 11:01 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Ambassador to the U.S. Ranendra Sen of 
India.