Dharamshala: The US House of Representatives Tuesday expressed its "condolences and sympathies" with the victims of the 14 April Kyigudo earthquake.
In a House Resolution submitted by Congresman McMohan, US Congress pledged to express "solidarity with the people of the Qinghai province, Tibetan-Americans, Chinese-Americans, and all those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been affected by the tragedy, including rescue and humanitarian workers."
The resolution was careful not to ignite Chinese ire over ethnic tension, stating íts "sympathies" were "for the people of China following the tragic earthquake in the Qinghai province of the Peoples Republic of China on April 14, 2010."
The resolution also committed to "support for the recovery and long-term reconstruction needs of the residents of the areas affected by the earthquake, including the restoration of monasteries and other Tibetan Buddhist sites that are integral to the preservation of Tibetan culture and religious traditions."
Reiterrating an offer of international assistance in relief efforts, one of many from the international community which were rejected by China, the resolution stated it "reaffirms the United States pledge, issued by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, to stand ready to assist the people of China during this difficult period," and "expresses support for the recovery and long-term reconstruction needs of the residents of the areas affected by the earthquake, including the restoration of monasteries and other Tibetan Buddhist sites that are integral to the preservation of Tibetan culture and religious traditions."
The 6.9 Magnitude Kyigudo earthquake and its 18 aftershocks devastated the ethnic Tibetan area on 14 April, leaving over 10,000 people dead and over 120,000 people homeless.
