Hillary Clinton offers more material support to Chile

SANTIAGO.- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived today in earthquake torn Chile to offer the devastated country moral and material support as it recovers from the deadly disaster.

Clinton’s plane landed at the damaged main airport with much-needed satellite communication equipment and a technician.

At a news conference with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Clinton said the U.S. would also send water purification systems and a mobile field hospital with surgical capability that is "ready to go".

Presidente Bachelet said that Chile needs temporary bridges, field hospitals with operating capability, and much needed autonomous dialysis systems. In rural areas, she said, the need was especially great.

"We have many of these things in our country, but we can’t get them to the people if we don't have bridges and roads", Bachelet said.

Distribution of supplies is being done, but "we need to do it very fast and get it to the remotest corners of the country and get it there soon", she added.

Details of U.S. aid to Chile will be worked out during Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's visit to the earthquake-damaged country.

"Ready to help in any way"

Clinton arrived today with her 25 satellite phones and said they are the first batch of 62 satellite phones that have been identified as a priority for the U.S. to send to Chile. Secretary of State added that the U.S. is "ready to help in any way" that Chile requests.

She also said that the U.S. is trying to find the dialysis machines Bachelet mentioned as well as generators, portable bridges, portable kitchens and helicopters.

U.S. officials say Chile won't have to repay any U.S. assistance.

Before the weekend quake, Clinton had planned a longer stay in Chile, but the visit was cut short following the magnitude 8.8 earthquake.

The death toll in the massive quake and resulting tsunami is more than 700.