Clinton tours quake-hit Chile
By IANSTuesday, March 2, 2010
SANTIAGO - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has visited the quake-hit areas in Chile and offered assistance to the government in dealing with the situation.
Clinton arrived in Chile Tuesday from Argentina as part of her ongoing Latin America tour that also includes Uruguay, Costa Rica and Guatemala, Xinhua reported.
More than 700 people were killed and two million people were affected in last Saturday’s 8.8-magnitude quake in Chile.
Clinton brought with her 20 sets of satellite phones to be used in the relief work.
“One of the biggest problems has been communications,” said Clinton at the airport, adding there is a communication problem in Concepcion and surrounding areas after the quake.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has asked for water purification systems, mobile kitchens, electricity generators and medical assistance from the international community.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was the first foreign leader to visit Chile after the quake.
