Special report: Earthquake in Indonesia

    PRAGUE, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Republic is to give 5 million crowns (about 227,000 U.S. dollars) to help fund immediate humanitarian aid in Indonesia following its devastating earthquake at the weekend, the Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.

    The aid was accorded by Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda at the request of the Indonesian government. But due to the large geographic distance, the Czech Republic has opted to give financial aid instead of sending rescue teams or providing material help.

    It would be premature to speak about further Czech aid such as the rebuilding of the afflicted regions, Foreign Ministry spokesman Vit Kolar said, adding that the Ministry would discuss the affair with the Czech embassy in Indonesia.

    Help was also provided by Czech charity groups ADRA and the Czech Catholic Charity.

    In 2005, the Czech Republic offered 110 million crowns (about 5 million dollars) to Pakistan after it was hit by a massive earthquake in the autumn.

    Indonesia's powerful earthquake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, struck the ancient province of Yogyakarta and part of Central Java province on Saturday morning. It has killed more than 5,000 people and left more than 10,000 injured. Enditem