Europe, pope express sympathy over Asia tsunami disaster

VATICAN CITY, Dec 26 (AFP) - Pope John Paul II and French President Jacques Chirac led an outpouring of sympathy from Europe over Sunday's deadly series of tsunamis that killed more than 4,000 people in Asia. The pontiff said from the Vatican: "We pray for the victims of this huge tragedy and we hope that the world community will mobilise to rush aid to the affected populations."

He said Christmas festivities were "marred by sadness" because of the disaster.

Chirac, in a statement issued from Paris, expressed his condolences to the countries hit by the killer tidal waves.

"In these painful circumstances, I want to express France's solidarity and address to you my sincerest condolences. I ask you to communicate my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims," he said in a letter to Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, whose country suffered the highest death toll.

Similar messages were sent to the leaders of India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Thailand.

In the letter to Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinewatra, Chirac also thanked him for the help Thailand was giving to French nationals in the country, a major tourist destination.

The European Commission said it was providing emergency aid of three million euros (four million dollars) for victims of the tidal waves caused by the massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean on Sunday.

The cash is intended for "initial vital needs," and more substantial aid will be provided later, the EU executive said.