According to US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, American______. [originaltext]

US President Barack Obama pledged assistance for what he called a potentially catastrophic disaster in Japan. Mr Obama called Japan one of America’s strongest allies and said the US is offering whatever assistance is needed.
    US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said a preliminary assessment indicates that American troops, ships and military facilities were not seriously damaged by the quake or tsunami. Gates says the military, which has enormous assets in the Pacific, is ready to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.
    The US military newspaper Stars and Stripes is reporting a carrier group led by the USS Ronald Reagan was diverted to Japan as it sailed toward South Korea for military exercises.
    British Prime Minister David Cameron, arriving in Brussels for a European summit, sent his sympathies and condolences to the Japanese people.
    Also in Brussels, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said his country stands ready to help the Japanese people.
    French President Nicolas Sarkozy also offered his country’s assistance, saying France is planning to send planes and other resources to assist in Japan.
    Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao also expressed deep sympathy for the Japanese people and officials from China’ s Earthquake Administration told the Xinhua news agency that rescuers are prepared to travel to those areas affected by the quake.