Letters of condolence in wake of Hurricane Katrina
On Monday, September 5, Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell has sent letters of condolence of the three main US States affected by Hurricane Katrina.
- Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Governor Bob Riley in Montgomery Alabama
- Governor Haley Barbour in Jackson, Mississippi
The letters read:
On behalf of the government and people of Scotland, I am writing to express our condolences and shock at the damage and loss of life cause by Hurricane Katrina. The extent of the devastation and the distress of those caught up in the disaster have been made plain to us here, through the media and accounts of Scots returning from the region.
As those affected by this tragedy are given the immediate assistance they need, your thoughts will be turning to the work of rebuilding homes and communities. I know that the people will turn to this task with fortitude and faith in their ability to overcome the terrible effects of these events.
I offer you and them the solidarity and support of the people of Scotland. I know the British Embassy are in touch with the authorities to identify ways in which the UK can help. Here in Scotland we are, of course, ready to respond in any way we can.
Jack McConnell
On Monday , September 12, the First Minister replied to Cecile Shea, US Consul General in Edinburgh:
Thank you for your letter of September 6.
On behalf of the Scottish government and people, I would like to express our feelings of shock, and our sympathy, as the people of the United States deal with the cruel effects of Hurricane Katrina.
As you know, international emergency relief is channelled through the UK government. Officials here are in close touch with the Cabinet Office in London who are co-ordinating the UK response to make that we in Scotland contribute in every way we can.
I have no doubt that Scottish people and organisations will be generous in contributing to the relief effort during the immediate emergency and as the work of reconstruction begins. I know that the UK subsidiaries of some Scottish companies are playing their part. Citizens Bank, part of the Royal Bank of Scotland, is matching donations from its staff. First Group is also facilitating donations from its 37,000 staff in the US and making its own donations to the releif effort. Its buses have also been involved in helping to evacuate New Orleans. Aggreko, the power rentail company headquartered in Glasgow, has customer centres in Mobile, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans and I understand that it has been assisting in humanitarian relief efforts throughout the region.
I have also written to the Governors of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi to express our sympathy and condolences.
Jack McConnell
News Archive