Obama says US to help victims of natural disasters

Jakarta, November 10 (ANTARA) - Visiting US President Barack Obama expressed sympathy for Indonesia on Tuesday and pledged to send humanitarian aid to victims of Merapi eruptions in Yogyakarta and Central Java and tsunami in Mentawai.

"We will keep supporting. The United States of America would continue to collect humanitarian aid in everyway possible ," he said at a joint press conference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here Tuesday evening.

Obama said Indonesia was facing difficult times recently due to a number of natural disasters that came one after the other.

He praised President Yudhoyono that had worked hard to help his people that had become victims of the natural disasters.

To all the victims he expressed deep sympathy and condolences. "Please accept my sympathy," he said.

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Williamson County denied FEMA assistance a second time

For the second time in a month, the federal government denied Gov. Rick Perry's request for financial aid to help repair extensive flood damage caused by Tropical Storm Hermine.

Perry asked President Barack Obama in a September 20 letter to issue a major disaster declaration for 13 Texas counties, including Travis and Williamson. The Obama administration denied the request October 8, but Perry appealed the decision.

In a letter dated November 5, W. Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), wrote that federal officials stand by their initial evaluation.

"We reaffirm our original findings that the impact from this event is not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration," Fugate wrote. "The required response appears to be within the combined capabilities of the state, affected local governments and voluntary agencies."

According to Perry's written request in September, eight Texans lost their lives due to the tropical storm, including one in Williamson County and one in Travis. A reported 178 Texas homes were destroyed and 298 suffered major damage.

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Legislative leaders prepare $80 million disaster bill

ST. PAUL – Legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty tentatively agree to spend $80 million on disaster relief, mostly for southern Minnesota communities hit by extensive flooding last month.

Wadena’s efforts to recover from a June 17 tornado could receive $750,000 to plan a new community center. Wadena leaders had sought $20.5 million.

Negotiators approved the bill Tuesday but must wait to make the numbers final for an Obama administration decision on whether to declare most of southern Minnesota a flood disaster area. That decision could come at any time.

Once the federal government decides on the disaster declaration, Tim Pawlenty will call a special legislative session that he says will last no longer than a day.

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