The US Secretary of State has promised Washington's help in developing an early warning system for the Indian Ocean region to avert future tsunami disasters.
Colin Powell also said his government would help the millions of people affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. He said the aftermath of the tsunami was a tragedy for the whole world and that his country would not turn away from those in need.
Mr Powell was speaking in Thailand, where he is on the first stage of a tour of three of the countries that were devastated by the huge waves caused by an earthquake on 26 December.
Earlier, the Thai Foreign Minister, Surakiart Sathirathai, said the questions of a warning system, as well as aid for preserving the environment, had been at the top of his agenda in talks with Mr Powell.
In the southern resort of Phuket, one of the areas worst affected by the disaster, the Secretary of State watched relief operations and visited a centre where families searching for missing relatives can check hospital lists.
Thousands of bodies are being stored in refrigerated containers until they can be identified. Mr Powell also promised American help in the identification process.
Tomorrow he will attend an emergency summit of world leaders in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, to discuss the provision of aid to countries affected by the disaster.
Yesterday in a public address, US President George W Bush put two of his predecessors - his father, George Bush, and Bill Clinton - in charge of efforts to raise private aid across the US.
