Bush: U.S. Ready to Help Iran After Quake

Yahoo! News ^ | Fri, Dec 26, 2003 | Caren Bohan

[F14 Pilot]

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush expressed sympathy for Iran on Friday after an earthquake there killed more than 20,000 people and offered support for a country he has deemed part of an "axis of evil."

Laura and I heard this morning of the earthquake centered in the city of Bam, Iran," Bush said in a statement from his ranch, where he will spend the New Year's holiday with his wife, Laura, and other family members.

"We are greatly saddened by the loss of life, injuries and widespread damage to this ancient city," he said. "I extend my condolences to all those touched by this tragedy."

"The thoughts of all Americans are with the victims and their families at this time, and we stand ready to help the people of Iran," Bush added.

In addition to the 20,000 believed to be dead, tens of thousands of people were injured in the quake, which destroyed much of city of Bam. The historic city is a popular tourist spot some 600 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran.

A Bush spokesman said Washington would be offering humanitarian aid to Iran but it was unclear how that offer would be extended since the United States has no official ties with Tehran.

A U.S. official said the State Department would be spelling out an aid package soon.

The United States has had tense relations with Iran for more than two decades. Washington broke diplomatic relations with Iran in 1979 after militant students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

In January 2002, Bush said Iran, pre-war Iraq and North Korea (news - web sites) made up an "axis of evil." Washington has accused Iran's government of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons.

The United States joins the United Nations, the European Union and other countries such as Russia which are also promising help to the Iranian quake victims.

"This is a terrible tragedy and we all come together behind the Iranian people at a time like this to assist those who have been injured and those families who have been impacted," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

[RoarkMan]

Hopefully the quake and our aid will help the Iranian people topple the mullahs. I'm sure the CIA will be involved with the aid and develop assets.

[July 4th]

Hahaha...very good. :)

[mansion]

I'm sure they'd do the same for us, right?

Right?

[Capitalist Eric]

I'm sure they'd do the same for us, right?

Of course not...

They'd never help a bunch of infidels. OTOH, maybe Allah is trying to tell them something...?

[F14 Pilot]

LOL, Are you a democrat being here covertly?
Go to DemocRATs' website and give your comments there Please!
Thanks.

[F14 Pilot]

Frankly, they did when the same quake happened a while ago in California. YOU ARE RIGHT.

[F14 Pilot]

And are you a democrat being here covertly too?
Do as I told your mate... It is better for both of you!
Thanks~~~!

[WackyKat]

A U.S. official said the State Department would be spelling out an aid package soon. 150 Abrams Tanks. 125000 US Troops 25 B-52's 10 B-1's Plus various and sundry other goodies.

How nice

Weren't you making posts on religious and biblical threads earlier?

Perhaps you should go reread the Gospels, you obviously missed the point

[F14 Pilot]

Yeah... You are right but we can read what their RAT followers and lovers say here....!

[South40]

LOL, Are you a democrat being here covertly?

Sure thing, newbie. If you're that naive you belong at DU. You'd fit right in.

F14 Pilot Since Jul 12, 2003

South40 Since May 4, 2001

[F14 Pilot]

Yeah, you just made me laugh Kid.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.... Hey Every body, I found a covert DemocRAT here.
We need Operation "Seek & Destroy".

[DoctorZIn]

...all Muslims love the USA...

The fact is Iranian Muslims do love the USA...

Check out the Iranian Alert Daily Thread if you don't believe me.

http://www.freerepublic.com/~doctorzin/

[F14 Pilot]

Thanks Doc for being here.

[Capitalist Eric]

Well, since you are such a newbie, F14, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt...

Never make the knee-jerk mistake of insulting those that you disagree with- it makes you look stupid, and (of course) paints you as the newbie you are...

South, where do these dorks come from???

[F14 Pilot]

You DemocRATs started that. DemocRATs deserve these things.

[F14 Pilot]

it makes you look stupid, and (of course) You too.

[South40]

I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. But this dork's proven he's not worthy.

Check his #31 post wherein he's telling everyone he's discovered I'm a Democrat. Hilarious! I've managed to control the urge to point out what an idiot he is then he goes and does it for me! lol!

[F14 Pilot]

You are doing a great job, my DemocRAT man... Keep controlling yourself oldie~!
Yeah, I am a newbie. What you gonna do?

[South40]

What you gonna do?

Probably continue laughing, as long as you're willing to provide the entertainment.

[Fledermaus]

Perfect cover for SpecOps guys and CIA to get in there!