U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday spoke with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The conversation happened after Obama tried several times to reach the president before actually being able to speak with him. The call, which lasted five minutes, according to a White House statement, was centered on Obama expressing his “condolences for the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in West Sumatra.” Obama “received an update from President Yudhoyono on the situation on the ground and reiterated his offer, on behalf of the United States, to do everything we can to help alleviate the suffering and provide assistance to the relief operation.” Obama and Yudhoyono will see each other again at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Singapore in November.
