Zagreb, Croatia, December 26, 2004 – Croatian President Stjepan Mesić and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader extended their condolences to their counterparts and citizens of Southeast Asian countries devastated by a disastrous earthquake and tidal waves. President Mesić sent letters of condolences to the heads of state of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh, which suffered thousands of human losses.
In a letter to the governments and people of the devastated countries, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said, “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the earthquake and tidal waves that have afflicted Sri Lanka, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian states. I would like to extend my deepest condolences on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and my own behalf, to all residents of these countries, especially to the families of the victims.”
Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul sent letters of condolences to foreign ministers of Southeast Asian countries devastated by the earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. Croatian ambassadors to India and Indonesia relayed Minister Žužul’s letters to the foreign ministers of India, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Minister Žužul expressed deepest condolences on behalf of Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the ministers and the people of these countries on the devastation and the enormous death toll caused by the earthquake and tsunami.
Meanwhile, the Croatian branch of the international humanitarian organization Caritas has launched a fundraising campaign to help victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Asia. The funds will be allocated to assist those who have been left homeless, as well as other victims of the disaster. President of Croatian Caritas Josip Mrzljak said through a press release that the Asia aid initiative has been launched because the mission of the humanitarian organization is to provide assistance to the poor and to those in need, both in Croatia and throughout the world.