WORLD : U.S. Announces $500,000 in Humanitarian Aid for Romania
The Bush Administration today announced an emergency $500,000 package of humanitarian aid to Romania, after recognizing its provisional government.
White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said the $500,000 in aid will be made available by the U.S. Agency for International Development to the International Red Cross. He said further U.S. aid also is likely.
Romania has been devastated by bitter street battles between the army and security forces loyal to its deposed dictator.
A hot line is being set up today at the State Department to handle the many calls from Americans and Romanians wanting to donate food and medicine.
Diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest have already been in touch with the new government to arrange safe passage for 42 government personnel and their dependents who were evacuated Sunday to neighboring Bulgaria.
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