Clinton says Tsunami Tragedy offers Opportunity for Religious Reconciliation

The former President of the USA, Bill Clinton has stated his belief that the relief effort and aid responses to the devastating tsunami in Asia and Africa will help to increase world unity of religions and to help reduce terrorism.

The speedy reaction of all communities and faiths joining together to answer the desperate cries of those left in despair from the Asian earthquake has already evidenced the unity and love that can arise from the depths of utter desolation.

In an interview, Clinton said, "I am grateful for the opportunity that this terrible tragedy gives for religious reconciliation in the world."

Christian observers have suggested over the past few weeks that the US in particular has the great opportunity at this time to show the world its generosity, and that this could be the beginning of a more peace-making role for the country in the future. This they have said would aid reconciliation between America and other countries that have in the past conflicted greatly with the world super-power.

Clinton reported that the world’s populations were "reaching out for the Muslims of Indonesia, for the Hindus and the Buddhists, and the Muslims and the Christians in Sri Lanka to reconcile."

The former American leader spoke about how grateful he was for all the aid that had been pledged by many of the Arab governments. He told how "a rather surprising number of Arabs" had been in contact with him and George Bush senior over the past few days to offer private contributions towards the aid relief funds.

Clinton said, "I think anything that the Arab governments and the Arab people can do to support that sort of human interaction and contact will help to stabilize the situation in the West Asia, reduce the likelihood of terror, create a climate in which the peace process can resume, now that the Palestinian elections have occurred."

Current President George Bush has asked Clinton and his father and also former President George Bush senior to lead the private fund raising efforts for the victims of the ravaging waves that it on 26 December, and resulted in more than 160,000 people dead.

During an interview, Clinton described the response to the tsunami aid funds appeals as "overwhelming".

He said, "We are not just talking about the million from the corporations. Some of the heart-warming stories are from the little guys that give five bucks, or two ten dollars, or two dollars. And people are pouring out their hearts to this effort, so we’re very happy with where it stands today."