Straw offers EU support to New Orleans
Jack Straw has offered EU support for the people of New Orleans hit by Hurricane Katrina, as the city descends into further chaos.
Following the first day of an informal meeting of European foreign ministers in Newport, the foreign secretary pledged EU assistance in what he described as “perhaps the greatest civil emergency in US history”.
The pledge by the foreign secretary comes at a time of increasing lawlessness in the flooded Louisiana city, with reports of rape, lootings, shoot-outs and troops deployed under shoot-to-kill orders.
And the latest reports suggest there have been a series of unexplained blasts across the New Orleans’ riverfront. Police boats are at the scene of the explosions, which occurred at about 04:30 local time (09:30GMT).
Speaking on behalf of the EU presidency, Mr Straw said: “We would like to send our thoughts to the families and friends of those in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who lost their lives during the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina and to the thousands who have had their homes and livelihoods ruined.”
He said these are “very difficult and painful days” for the people of that area.
“The EU has offered to help the United States with any assistance that might be required in what is perhaps the greatest civil emergency in US history.”
US president George Bush will visit the stricken area today as the evacuation continues of those who did not leave before Hurricane Katrina hit on Monday.
Mr Bush has promised that all federal resources will be used to bring relief to the city, but insisted there would be a “zero-tolerance” policy on people breaking the law.
Three hundred armed troops with experience in Iraq have arrived in the city and will use force if necessary, according to Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco.
The vast majority of the historic city remains under water after levees designed to protect it were breached by floodwater.
It is thought that thousands have died, although no official count has yet been possible.
