Message of condolence to heads of state and government of the Asian nations hit by violent tremor and seaquakes

FIDEL Castro Ruz, president of the Councils of State and Ministers, yesterday sent messages of condolence to the heads of state and/or government of seven South East Asian countries, victims of the grave consequences of a violent earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, followed by a series of seaquakes, resulting in the death of more than 12,000 persons and causing enormous material losses to those nations.

In his messages to their Excellencies Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, prime minister of Malaysia; Chandrika Bandaranaike Kamaratunga, president of the Social Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka; Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, president of the Republic of Indonesia; Dr. Manmohan Singh, prime minister of the Republic of India; Begur Khaleda Zuia, prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand; and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, president of the Republic of the Maldives, the Cuban president affirmed the profound consternation of our people and government at these tragic events and transmitted heartfelt condolences to the peoples of those nations, especially to the relatives of the victims.