Press release

‘EARTHQUAKE WHICH STRUCK OFF THE COAST OF HAITI’

January 14, 2010
StateHouse

“Excellency,

IT WAS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE LEARNT OF THE LOSS OF MANY LIVES AND EXTENSIVE MATERIAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY A 7.0–MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE WHICH STRUCK OFF THE COAST OF HAITI.

IN THE WAKE OF THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF SEYCHELLES, JOIN ME IN EXPRESSING OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES AND DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO YOU, TO THE GOVERNMENT AND TO THE PEOPLE OF HAITI, AS WELL AS TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS.

ALTHOUGH CONTINENTS APART, OUR PEOPLES HAVE KINDRED SPIRITS THROUGH THE COMMON SHARING OF THE CREOLE LANGUAGE. AS YOU STRUGGLE TO RECONCILE THE SHOCKING INCIDENT WITH YOUR EXTREME DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES, WE ARE REMINDED OF OUR OWN EXPERIENCE WITH THE INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI OF 2004. WE WISH ALL THE RELIEF AGENCIES EVERY SUCCESS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REMEDY THIS CATASTROPHIC SITUATION AND WE ASSURE YOU, EXCELLENCY, OF OUR SOLIDARITY IN THIS TRYING PERIOD.

Highest consideration,

JAMES A. MICHEL

President of the republic of Seychelles”