Asian tsunami relief: American values in action

&to=http:// english.pravda.ru/usa/2001/06/27/8827.html ' target=_blank>Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Indonesia Tuesday that the United States is throwing its financial and military weight into southern Asian relief efforts not to gain favor in the Islamic world but because it's what Americans do.

The opportunity for &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/cis/2003/03/28/45226.html ' target=_blank>Muslims to see "American values in action" is a welcome byproduct, he said.

"The United States is responding the way it is because this is a human catastrophe," the secretary said at a news conference after his arrival in &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/politics/2002/01/15/25598.html ' target=_blank>Jakarta. "In my career in public service, I have never seen anything like this."

Powell said the United States has so far pledged $350 million for the relief -- and promises more if that's needed -- "because of the human dimensions of this catastrophe", says CNN.