Obama: U.S. feels "great urgency" to help Japan

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Thu, Mar 17 2011

1 of 2. U.S. President Barack Obama writes in the condolence book for Japan's earthquake and tsunami victims at Japan's Embassy in Washington, March 17, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Jason Reed

WASHINGTON | Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:31pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Thursday that the United States feels "great urgency" to assist Japan and is confident that Japan will rebuild.

Obama made an unannounced visit to the Japanese embassy on Thursday to sign a condolence book and reiterate the steadfast commitment to standing by the Japanese people during the crisis, an administration official said.

"I am confident that Japan will rebuild," Obama said after signing the condolence book.

"They are a people who are strong, who are resilient, who are dedicated to their country. ... And so as difficult as this period of time is, I am confident that Japan will emerge even stronger than it was."

Obama was greeted at the embassy by Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki.

In the condolence book, Obama wrote: "My heart goes out to the people of Japan during this enormous tragedy. Please know that America will always stand by one of its greatest allies during this time of need.

"Because of the strength and wisdom of its people, we know that Japan will recover and indeed will emerge stronger than ever. And as it recovers, the memory of those who have been lost will remain in our hearts and will serve only to strengthen the friendship between our two countries. May God bless the people of Japan."

(Reporting by Emily Stephenson; editing by Jackie Frank)
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Comments (1)
makone4 wrote:
Obama (a great man in my humble opinion) SAYS America will stand by Japan but what does that mean? This article and the quotes from Obama sound like fluff. What has he done to back up that statement? Has Obama mobilized any federally operated relief organizations or efforts to date? If not, it sounds like he’s just blowing political smoke up our back-ends.

Mar 17, 2011 4:21pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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