Special Report: Indonesia quake death toll touches 5,000

    CANBERRA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Monday said Australia will provide further support and medical assistance to Indonesia, as Australia is sending medical teams to quake-ravaged Java.

    More than 5,000 people have been killed in Saturday's earthquake and the death toll is expected to rise further.

    Australia has pledged 3 million Australian dollars (2.3 million U.S. dollars) in emergency aid.

    Howard has spoken with his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono about providing more help.

    "I spoke to him (Yudhoyono) last night, I rang him to express the sympathy and the sorrow of the Australian people," Howard told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio.

    "I asked him if there was anything we could do to help him and he did indicate that some medical assistance would be very welcome, and I have put our people in touch with his to see what can be arranged in that area," he said.

    Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia is sending medical teams to quake-ravaged Java Monday. Enditem