Press Release: Germany: Partnership initiative for Southern Asia beginning to take shape

As of 17.1.05, a committee made up of representatives of federal, state, and local governments will steer the Chancellor's partnership initiative for the tsunami disaster countries. Speaking after a meeting with state and local government leaders, Chancellor Gerhard Schroder praised the enormous desire being shown throughout the country to take part in the long-term process of reconstruction in the disaster areas. Schroder thanked the public for their donations, saying: 'People have been fantastically generous'