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.

[F14 Pilot]

lol, I first laughed at what you said man...
I'd like to suggest you to keep quiet in a Republicans' webpage because people will find out where/what party you are from? ;-)

[Capitalist Eric]

So tell me... What does it say about a man, when he's been here 4-5 months, acts the fool, and calls anyone who disagrees with his delusions of significance a democRAT???

I've been here... what, about five years....? And this clown comes in, calling for a zot? Gimme a break!

Moderator, please educate this clown...? Seriously, when someone is so rabid as to call anyone who dares to disagree with him a DU lurker, it gets a little ridiculous...

[F14 Pilot]

Dear Admin, Please teach them to stay Human and act humanly as our President does, not as DemocRATs.

[prophetic]

those folks down at DU really need mental treatment badly.

I've seldom seen a more psychotic+neurotic bunch outside of a mental hospital, but then again there seems to be quite a number of them holding PUBLIC OFFICE.

[mansion]

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

It happens on occasion! :)

I think many people are surprised (or disappointed) to see Bush helping a country that he deems to be part of the "Axis of Evil"...

But US has a history of helping Iran after quakes, for example the ones in 1962, 1968, 1990, 1997, 2002, and now this one. Let us hope this aid helps strengthen US/Iran relations...

[Capitalist Eric]

...all Muslims love the USA...

With respect, I must disagree.

Since 9/11/01, I haven't met a single Muslim who denounced the 9/11 attacks, or terrorism in the name of Islam.

Now, perhaps there is fear among some Muslims to not "rock the boat," as it were, and thereby make themselves pariahs within the Muslim communities in the USA... I honestly don't know.

But, given the lack of condemnation of those attacks by Muslims, as well as the attempted justification for them... (somehow America "deserved" it)...?

It seems that as long as Muslims remain quiet on terrorism, that they give tacit approval of such attacks...

[F14 Pilot]

Thank you for posting this.

[South40]

He is entertaining but I agree. With 71/2 years of FReeping between us we shouldn't have to tolerate such profound idiocy…especially on a site that’s known for breeding intellectualism.

It’s Friday night. Perhaps he used the check his nana gave him for Christmas to overindulge in Budweiser.

Then, again, maybe he’s really that dim.

Whatever the case, his entertainment value is fading fast.

[truth_seeker]

"It won't matter...they'll still hate the US."

Probably NOT the case with Iran. Granted the 1979 mullah dictator revolution was very bad. At that time, many Iranians tied their dislike of the Shah's harsher deeds, with US support for him.

Now a full generation later, able to live in the islamic revolution's paradise, I suspect many have the ability to view both sides.

There is a large Iranian contingent living in the US. Some since the 70s; some left before 1979 and others left BECAUSE of the new rigime. Jews, Christians and nominal muslims.

I think a big helping hand would be good policy, so it could be expected the ruling regime will do their best to obstruct and taint what we do.

If we can get the aid in there, and let them kno where it comes from, it will do us good.

[F14 Pilot]

Thank you very much for your kindness.

[Capitalist Eric]

Whatever the case, his entertainment value is fading fast.

LOL...

My mother told me that my greatest weakness was that I have no tolerance of fools.

His entertainment value was marginal, to begin with...

[DoctorZIn]

I understand your frustration with the Muslim community, but it appears you are not following the events in Iran. (BTW, I am not Muslim).

The vast majority of the people of Iran are opposed to their theocratic tyrants and they do in fact support the USA.

I could give you tons of evidence, but check out this link and see an example of their support.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1046716/posts?page=29#29

[DoctorZIn]

I just received this from a student in Iran...

"It is really hard to write any thing about what happened in my country and in one of the oldest cities of Iran.
And it is harder to make you sad when you are celebrating the New Year.

I want to thank those Freepers who sent Condolence Messages and I'd like to say my best wishes to them as well.

I also need to share my frustration with those people who keep making cruel remarks toward the people of Iran in this time of tragedy. They know nothing about the real faces of the Iranian society

I want to thank you in advance for the help you and your nation are providing those touched by the tragedy and also in our struggle to end our brutal regime.

Thank you very much."

What the people of Iran need today is not insults but our support in achieving their goal and their goal is freedom. -- DoctorZin

[F14 Pilot]

Yours Too

[South40]

His entertainment value was marginal, to begin with...

Ahh...but he does get points for originality!

A newbie begging the mod to zot a five year FReeper...for being a closet democrat?! lol!

It doesn't matter who you are...that's funny.

[F14 Pilot]

[Capitalist Eric]

I understand your frustration with the Muslim community, but it appears you are not following the events in Iran.

That assumption would be correct. I do try to stay informed on a wide variety of subjects, but Iran was never on my "list" of things to watch...

And honestly, after seeing the deceptive, disengenuous statements by Muslims here (usually in face-to-face confrontations) I admit a lack of desire to seriously consider other Islamic issues. By my way of thinking, all of Islam faces a crisis- either find a way to stop to murderous elements of the faith, or be counted as supporters of those elements... I.e., "guilt by association."

(((shrugging shoulders)))

Honestly, I don't know how this will ultimately play out... (((sigh)))

[F14 Pilot]

Re#56,
People in the above picture are Iranians morning for 9/11 victims.

[DoctorZIn]

...Honestly, I don't know how this will ultimately play out... (((sigh)))...

I don't know how it will end up either. But the youth of Iran strongly support the USA and want to create a new government built on a secular democracy. My heart goes out for these young people wanting the same freedoms we tend to take for granted.

Check out my daily thread some time.

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

They give me hope for the middle-east.