Short Attacks US Over Tsunami Aid (Worthless UN morliocks lie like yellow dogs)

BBC News ^ | December 31, 2004 | Unattributed

[quidnunc]

Former Cabinet minister Clare Short has criticised the US-led tsunami aid coalition, saying the UN should be leading efforts.

President Bush has announced that an alliance of the US, India, Australia and Japan will co-ordinate a humanitarian drive.

But Ms Short said the effect of the parallel coalition would be to undermine the UN.

She said only the UN had the "moral authority" to lead the relief work.

Ms Short resigned as international development secretary over the Iraq war.

"I think this initiative from America to set up four countries claiming to co-ordinate sounds like yet another attempt to undermine the UN when it is the best system we have got and the one that needs building up," she said.

"Only really the UN can do that job," she told BBC Radio Four's PM programme.

"It is the only body that has the moral authority. But it can only do it well if it is backed up by the authority of the great powers."

Ms Short said the countries involved could not boast good records on their response to major disasters.

The US was "very bad at coordinating with anyone" and India had its own problems, Ms Short said.

"I don't know what that is about but it sounds very much, I am afraid, like the US trying to have a separate operation and not work with the rest of the world through the UN system," she added.

[Ladysmith]

This combo photo taken 26 December 2004 shows (top-L) Phuket's Chedi resort staff preparing for the day as the first swell edges toward the lawn followed by the arrival of the second and third waves (top-R and bottom-L) respectively, which engulfed the hotel restaurant and its surrounding gardens and the final photo showing the water at its crest, flooding the whole area. Aid pledges for Asia's tsunami victims topped 1.6 billion dollars on a tide of New Year sympathy, but the United Nations (news - web sites) warned it would take weeks for help to reach many survivors and that the death toll would likely rise to 150,000.(AFP/Joanne Davis)

US to Short: Bite Me!

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

I do agree with you (I'm not sure if you understood my post)

[iso]

She is an idiot !

[Red6]

I got ya. I agree with you too. I just like to write and felt like expanding on the topic. :)

Red6

[proud American in Canada]

Thanks for posting this.

I watched CNN today--granted, it's a U.S. cable station, but all I saw were U.S. ships, Indian ships, and a couple who had their own airline service who, on their own initiative, is bringing supplies. And I'm sure, given CNN's bias, that if the UN were there, we'd be seeing video & pictures of it.

I was so glad to see Old Glory on the sleeves of the people delivering food & water--I hope that can instill some confidence in the U.S. in that part of the world.

[FDNYRHEROES]

Meanwhile, Kofi spent three days after the tsunamis on vacation at tony Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

He was reportedly tskiing the tsnowy tslopes...

[CyberAnt]

"only the UN had the "moral authority" to lead the relief work"

Well .. the UN's "moral authority" was on vacation - skiing - and couldn't be bothered.

In the meantime, the USA did what it always does - it used it's leadership to solve the problem. Once again .. the USA steps up and does the job the UN was supposed to be doing.

[LoneSome Journey]

These idiots are completely ignoring all of the weather related problems the US has faced during 2004 as well as the support the US provided to the victims of 9/11. Although not as horrific as the problems in Asia, they still took a sizeable total on the budgets of the US and it's citizens. They forget the adage, Charity begins at home.

Another point they seem to be ignoring by choice is, where is the aid and support from muslim countries?

[Logical me]

""Only really the UN can do that job," she told BBC Radio Four's PM programme. " My gosh, has this jacka@@ seen the UN capable of doing anything right? Another brain dead.

[Earthdweller]

"Another point they seem to be ignoring by choice is, where is the aid and support from muslim countries?"
-----
No kidding.

[Snickersnee]

Of course the UN's will be catered by Elaine's.

Newbergh Yacht Club.

[libs_kma]

Can somebody tell me WTF a Claire Short is?

[Maceman]

But Ms Short said the effect of the parallel coalition would be to undermine the UN.

Oh the humanity!!!

[lowbridge]

bump

[highlander_UW]

This is funnier each time I read it...

But Ms Short said the effect of the parallel coalition would be to undermine the UN.

And this is a bad thing why?

She said only the UN had the "moral authority" to lead the relief work.

She has a potential future in stand up commedy. Would she care to explain the UN's moral authority to the Rwandans or the Sudanese that the UN allowed to be murdered by the millions without intervention? How about the Oil for Food program that caused untold deaths in Iraq? "It is the only body that has the moral authority. But it can only do it well if it is backed up by the authority of the great powers."

Ms Short said the countries involved could not boast good records on their response to major disasters.

I suppose she'd rather rely on the UN that has nations such as Sudan, Syria and Libya leading the human rights commission making decisions regarding track records.

"I don't know what that is about but it sounds very much, I am afraid, like the US trying to have a separate operation and not work with the rest of the world through the UN system," she added.

Best reason for 4 more years of GW I've seen posted on FR in a while.

She must be on some very strong meds to be this deluded.

[Rahmulus]

I love that blog...one of the best.

[Frank_2001]

What arrogant swine those UN people are!

[LibertarianInExile]

Let's imagine the results of waiting for the U.N.'s approval for any humanitarian mission.

1) The U.S. is still waiting for the U.N.'s go-ahead while the citizens of Berlin are dead from starvation. The Berlin Airlift? Never happened.

2) Live Aid? Still in subcommittee.

3) Rwanda Massacre? Oh, that's okay then!

[sukhoi-30mki]

Well to be honest,many Muslim nations have pledged cash or money.Saudi Arabia,Pakistan,UAE,Kuwait,Qatar,Egypt,Tunisia,Iran etc have all given money(millions) or pledged something to the affected nations-whatever their real intentions.

[Figment]

"But Ms Short said the effect of the parallel coalition would be to undermine the UN"


If Bill Clinton had the guts to undermine their "moral authority" in Rwanda 800,000 lives could have been saved. The UN track record doesn't lend itself to being trusted with any authority