MR. DUFFY: Good afternoon, or good evening. (Laughter.) The President continues to monitor the terrible disaster and the emergency recovery and relief effort underway. And at this point, allow me to read for you a statement by the President: All Americans are shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life and the destruction around the Indian Ocean. In this hour of critical need, America is joining with other nations and international organizations to do everything possible to provide assistance and relief to the victims and their families. Already, cargo aircraft, support personnel, naval units and aid shipments have been dispatched.

To coordinate this massive relief effort, firsthand assessments are needed by individuals on the ground. On Sunday, January 2nd, the President will send a delegation of experts to the affected areas to meet with regional leaders and international organizations to assess what additional aid can be provided by the United States. The delegation will be led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and Governor Jeb Bush, who has extensive experience in the state of Florida with relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts following natural disasters. The President looks forward to receiving the delegation's assessment of the relief efforts, so that our government can best help those in need.

That was a statement by the President. With that, I will answer your questions, if you have any. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: They are going to the affected areas around the Indian Ocean. The State Department will be formulating their travel schedule in the coming days. Of course, obviously, they're being very sensitive not to interfere with the relief effort underway, so that will be planned out over the coming days. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Trent, what do you make of the fact that while we've given the initial $35 million in aid, that there are literally millions and millions of dollars being sent in over the Internet by individuals, sometimes even outpacing various government contributions. What do you make of this outpouring of private citizens, via the Internet, donation-wise? ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: I'm not an Internet critic, Jeff. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Today, at the U.N., Kofi Annan was asked if he would go to the region, and he specifically said, well, at this time, available rooms and shelter, that kind of thing, other resources should really be going to people who are displaced and these would be disrupted if, in fact, he were to go, was kind of his feeling. Is the President concerned about the disruption that Secretary Powell and Government Bush's visit might make? ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: Absolutely not. We're working in partnership with the United Nations. In fact, the core coalition of countries -- which, of course, includes the United States, Japan, India and Australia -- has been meeting regularly and is being joined by United Nations officials, and I believe Mr. Egeland was part of discussions this afternoon. They're talking on a daily basis, and those efforts will just continue, so working hand-in-glove with the United Nations effort. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: I don't have an update on how long. The decision was made in the days following the earthquake, as the President began to think about what best way for the United States to respond to this terrible tragedy. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Trent, when Secretary Powell goes to the U.N. tomorrow to visit the Secretary General, will he urge the Secretary General to also go to the region? Or does the White House disagree with Kofi Annan's decision not to go to the region at this time? ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: As the statement by the President said, he has extensive experience in the state of Florida with relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. He's also the President's brother -- I think it signifies the high level of importance that the President puts on this delegation. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: I think the inaugural activities are paid for out of private contributions, not governmental funds. I would refer you to the Inaugural Committee for an answer for that.

Anything further? Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: I think the President addressed that yesterday. The United States is doing everything -- both from an official standpoint, as well as private contributions; we're the world's most generous country, we'll continue to be. The President is very satisfied with the international coalition that's coming together to confront this terrible tragedy. As Secretary Powell said this morning, this is just the beginning, this is going to be a sustained, multi-million, multi-national effort for years to come. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: I'm not sure, Matt, but I can ask. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: I saw Administrator Natsios address that in the State Department briefing. I think what he was referring to is that because the budget was approved so late in the year that they just had to do some accounting, but that he's got the funds that he needs. But as I said earlier, I mean, obviously, if there are additional resources that are required, I would have every expectation that the President will seek those. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q There's an awful lot of layers of bureaucracy now between private organizations involved. The U.S., leading the coalition of four, are trying to coordinate all these efforts. Is the President concerned at all that all this -- and the U.N., as well. Is the President concerned that all these layers of bureaucracy is hindering, actually, getting money on the ground as fast as possible? ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q How much of a factor, or was it a factor -- security concerns, obviously, the infrastructure in these areas, you're talking police officials, all of their resources being marshaled to help the victims, but the security situation on the ground, I'm guessing, in some areas is quite unstable. How much of a factor was that in making the decision to send not only Secretary Powell, but also his brother to the region? ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. DUFFY: Well, every step will be taken to ensure their security, as it would -- Read more Comment (0), Email this.