The United States has pledged an initial $15 million (¤11 million) and dispatched disaster specialists to Asian countries struck by a massive earthquake and tsunamis. President George W. Bush sent letters of condolence. "This is indeed an international tragedy, and we are going to do everything we can," Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday. At least eight Americans perished in the catastrophe that swept South and East Asia without warning, and U.S. embassies were trying to locate hundreds of others who have not been heard from, Powell said at a news conference. From his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Bush sent letters of condolence to the leaders of the seven countries wracked by the disaster. "This is a terrible tragedy," White House spokesman Trent Duffy said. "There is a significant loss of life. And our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are suffering." Powell made condolence telephone calls and offered American assistance to the foreign ministers of Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.
