U.S. President George W. Bush offered condolences and aid to Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday after a severe earthquake struck China, killing tens of thousands. The White House announced it would give China $500,000 in initial disaster aid. Bush “expressed his condolences on the earthquake, and reiterated his offer to assist in any way possible” during a phone call with President Hu, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. The 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit China on Monday leaving more than 12,000 dead and thousands more feared buried.
