Date:30/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/30/stories/2004123017311300.htm

International

U.S. forms coalition to coordinate relief

WASHINGTON, DEC. 29. The United States has formed an international coalition with India, Australia and Japan to coordinate worldwide efforts to provide relief to tsunami victims and to reconstruct the affected areas, the U.S. President, George W. Bush, announced today.

"We have established a regional core group with India, Japan and Australia to help coordinate relief efforts. I am confident more nations will join this group in short order," Mr. Bush said at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

— PTI