Posted on 01/02/2005 8:12:24 PM PST by DaveLoneRanger
CNSNews.com) - President Bush said on Wednesday that U.S. aid to South Asian victims of Sunday's earthquake and tidal waves is "only the beginning of our help," and he commented that the United Nations official who said America is being "stingy" in its response was "misguided and ill-informed."
The president made the remarks during a news conference at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, during which he gave his first public comments on the disaster that has affected many nations on the other side of the globe.
When asked by a reporter if he was "offended by the suggestion that rich nations have been stingy in aid over the tsunami" -- a reference to comments made earlier this week by Jan Egeland, United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs -- Bush replied that "the person who made that statement was very misguided and ill-informed."
The president noted that in 2004, "our government provided $2.4 billion in food and cash and humanitarian relief." Forty percent of all relief aid given in the world last year was provided by the United States government, he said.
"We're a very generous, kind-hearted nation, and what you're beginning to see is a typical response for America," Bush said. "First of all, we're providing immediate cash relief, to the tune of about $35 million, and then there'll be an assessment of the damage so that the relief will be spent wisely."
Also, the American people will be very generous on their own. "I think it's very important for Americans who want to give to provide cash to organizations" that will be able to focus resources and assets to meet the specific needs, Bush said.
On Tuesday, Egeland backtracked on his earlier comments and called the assistance pledged by the United States and Europe "very generous."
"I have been misinterpreted when I yesterday said that my belief that rich countries in general can be more generous," the Washington Times quoted him as saying. "This has nothing to do with any particular country or the response to this emergency in the early days. The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive."
'Only the beginning of our help'
During his opening remarks at Wednesday's news conference, Bush stated: "Our prayers go out to the people who have lost so much in this series of disasters.
"Our hearts are also with the Americans who have lost loved ones in this tragedy," he continued. "Our embassies are working with host governments to locate American citizens who are still missing and to assist those who have been injured or displaced."
The president stated that he has conveyed condolences to the leaders of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. "I told them of our support, and I praised their steadfast leadership during these difficult times.
"We're grateful to the American and international organizations that are working courageously to save lives and to provide assistance," he added, "and I assured those leaders that this is only the beginning of our help."
Bush said that the U.S. is committed to helping the affected countries in the difficult weeks and months that lie ahead.
"We pledged an initial $35 million in relief assistance. We have deployed disaster experts to the region," the president stated. "All leaders expressed their appreciation for the hard work of our ambassadors and their embassy staffs to help the countries in need."
Along those lines, Bush praised Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has worked with his counterparts in other nations to begin building an international coalition for immediate humanitarian relief and long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts.
"Based on these discussions, we've established a regional core group with India, Japan and Australia to help coordinate relief efforts," the president said. "I'm confident more nations will join this core group in short order."
Bush also said that Undersecretary of State Mark Grossman will lead a task force to coordinate inter-agency response in the U.S. government and encourage other nations to participate in the relief efforts.
"These past few days have brought loss and grief to the world that is beyond our comprehension," the president said. "The United States will continue to stand with the affected governments as they care for the victims. We will stand with them as they start to rebuild their communities.
"This has been a terrible disaster," Bush added. "I know that our fellow citizens are particularly troubled to learn that many of the deaths were young children, and we grieve for their families."
The Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance, part of the U.S. Agency for International Development, responded to 61 declared international disasters in fiscal year 2003 (Oct. 1, 2002-Sept. 30, 2003) and obligated $290,267,133 for that assistance.
Meanwhile, CNS also reports:
"USAID Gives $20 Million to Help Asia's Tsunami Recovery Efforts," and "Americans Donate $18 Million to Red Cross Fund for Tsunami Victims."
Stingy indeed!
Very diplomatic.
Way to report the 4-day old news.
"Very diplomatic"
One of the many reasons I love President Bush! I OTOH, would have informed the reporters where that particular UN official could put his snide remark!
He never said the US was "stingy", but rich nations. But the comment clearly hit a nerve in Bush.
Freeper: UN Official Who Called US 'Stingy' Is '@sswipe'.
As well it should.
I wonder how much the UN in North Korea has given? America has given more then any country. God bless President Bush and the United states of America!!!
It's a good thing this ASSH__E wears a tie so someone can help him get his head out of his ass.
It's a good thing this ASSH__E wears a tie so someone can help him get his head out of his ass.
Norwegian government donates 1,1 billion NOK (181m USD)
Many Norwegians frequent this area for their holidays.
They are probably very touched by it.
I'd like to see a worksheet of disasters and $$ donated by country. That would be curious.
You don't like Bush much do you?
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