Posted on 01/13/2005 4:09:46 AM PST by kattracks
The Indonesian government yesterday showed its appreciation to U.S. soldiers who have been risking their lives helping tsunami victims by ordering them to get out of the country by the end of March.
"Three months are enough," Vice President Jusuf Kalla told the official Antara news agency. "In fact, the sooner [they leave] the better."
Kalla's government also forced the Abraham Lincoln, from which Navy pilots have flown dozens of food supply missions to the hard-hit Aceh Province, to steam out of Indonesian waters because they refused to let U.S. pilots fly training missions in their air space.
The Indonesians also refused to let the Marines coming ashore rebuild roads, establish a base camp or carry arms.
Lynn Pascoe, the U.S. ambassador to Indonesia, reacted to Kalla's ingratitude by declaring that American troops will help as long as they were needed and "not a minute later."
But in Washington, White House spokesman Scott McClellan demanded "further clarification from Indonesia about what this means."
"We hope that the government of Indonesia and the military in Indonesia will continue the strong support they have provided to the international relief efforts so far," he said.
Although most Indonesians have expressed thanks for U.S. help, nationalist politicians in the world's most populous Muslim country have been grumbling about "American interlopers."
Indonesia's new president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, is a former general in a country that has been under martial law for much of its recent history.
Always wary of America, Indonesia reluctantly allowed U.S. soldiers in when it became clear it could not deal with the aftermath of the Dec. 26 tsunami on its own.
Yudhoyono's government also moved to reassert control over wave-walloped Aceh by ordering aid workers and journalists to declare their travel plans - or face expulsion.
"It is important to note that the government would be placed in a very difficult position if any foreigner who came to Aceh to assist in the aid effort was harmed through the acts of irresponsible parties," the government said in a statement.
The Indonesian government was referring to the rebels who have largely stayed out of the way as the international rescue missions have been mounted.
With News Wire Services
Originally published on January 13, 2005
"the sooner, the better"
"Well, what the hell are we waiting for?"
My thoughts exactly.
They probably resent how the massive generosity of the West, and particularly the US, is showing how little other very wealthy Muslim nations are helping. For the US Navy it is not a religious issue, they're there to help, but for Indonesia everything is a religious issue...this is something the left never grasps about the world.
Lies, treachery, terror and death...the usual fruits of Islam.
Quite alot of nerve. Leave now. Spend our tax money and efforts on our own people.
I expected ingratitude and the usual hatred, but this is really bold.
IMHO, the military shouldn't have been there in the first place. The military is for fighting our nation's wars and national defense. Let the Peace Corps and Hollywood take care of all the humantarian help.
My opinion is keep helping them out. Or ambassador should put his face in their ear and say "then stop us if you can, because were going to do it anyway". After reading the stories about US helicopters flying over children with their hands raised up begging for help, I believe we should fly in food and water to those out of contact and are dying every day. I truly believe that the people of Indonesia will remember who helped them out. That is what the Indonesian Govt. is trying to prevent.
Why am I not surprised? Nothing like biting the hand that feeds you.
The Abe Lincoln and its crew aren't there to help the leaders of Indonesia. They are helping truly desperate people who have NOTHING. It is a sign of our strength and kindness as a nation that we do not allow jealous dictators to prevent us from helping people in such desperate need.
The Indonesian Government, like many other governments (Egypt, Saudi Arabia), are hated by many of their people for good reason. These leaders use anti-Americanism as a means of directing this anger away from local grievances. This is not limited to Muslim nations, either -- just look at France.
I couldn't care less what some Indonesian thug has to say, and I would be willing to bet the crew of the Abe Lincoln doesn't, either.
Ah the good old MuSLIMES!! You can always count on them to oooooze love!
Then what happens when the Indonesian government quietly asks the local al Qaeda groups to maybe take a few relief workers hostage, and then behead them and send the tape to al Jazeera? Because that would probably be the next step, unless they just stepped right up to attacks on helicopters and relief convoys.
WoW! Not surprised. Hell, if THAT isn't a "don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out", then I don't know WHAT is!
They have it rigged two ways, to force their point and create even more hatred of America.
Either we DON'T RESPOND and come in with $$$ and they will broadcast throughout the Islam world that the American crusader Christians are evil, anti Muslim and cold hearted.
or
They tell us to go, we go, and then they broadcast how the infidel, cold hearted, anti-Muslim USA is abandoning them.
They have it rigged both ways to make us look bad NO MATTER WHAT WE DO.
Then let the Indonesia Embassy in Washington, D.C. know SPECIFICALLY that donations are being sent in with this disclaimer, all due to their anti-American policy. Sorry, but at least we would be helping some of the victims.
Let's face facts. Muslim societies in general don't value human life as well as we do. How else does one explain why the Christian and secular West is donating BILLIONS of dollars in aid - from governments, corporations, churches, schools, groups and individuals to help those ravaged by this disaster in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India, while similar fund raising efforts and donations is minuscule from other countries, especially the oil-rich Gulf states? I mean, have we EVER seen an Islamic nation donate money free of strings to a non-Muslim nation that has suffered a terrible calamity?
I've read reports that the Indonesian government and people themselves don't seem interested in relieving the suffering of their own people. Hardly anyone has donated ANYTHING. It seems they prefer the West to just give money and fix the problem without taking responsibility themselves.
One thing that drives me absolutely crazy is Muslims in general (especially in the Islamic nations) act as if they are owed something. Somehow, we are always obligated to help them when they are in trouble; and we don't even get a thank you for our efforts.
Also, where is China in all this? How much has that behemoth donated to help its neighbors?
Sorry for the rant, just frustrated at observing this Muslim attitude again so blatantly displayed.
I say pull out today. Let them fend for themselves. Maybe, just maybe, the House of Saud will take care of them. NOT!
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