Alexander Yakovenko, the Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Answers a Russian Media Question Regarding Russia's Participation in Eliminating the Consequences of the Natural Disaster in Indonesia

Unofficial translation from Russian

Question: What could you say regarding the participation of Russia in eliminating the consequences of the natural disaster in Indonesia?

Answer: President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ready if necessary to render Indonesia assistance in eliminating the consequences of the natural disaster.

The Indonesian side is currently working through specific questions related to a possible character of such assistance with due regard to the needs of the population of the afflicted areas.

I would like to note that the natural disaster in Indonesia did not entail such large consequences as those in December 2004, but it nevertheless has highlighted the need to establish in the Asia-Pacific region a system of early warning of earthquakes and tsunamis.

March 30, 2005