Posted on 09/01/2005 3:08:46 PM PDT by va4me
WASHINGTON -- In a dramatic turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.
Venezuela, a target of frequent criticism by the Bush administration, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid.
The United Nations informed U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton it was prepared to support the relief effort "in any way possible."
Under Secretary-General Jan Egeland said his office had offered the services of the U.N.'s disaster assistance and coordination teams to the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent a letter to President Bush offering hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians and other experts in trauma, natural disasters and public health.
"We also offer field hospitals, medical kits and equipment for temporary housing, reinforcement for hospitals, or any assistance that you may require," Sharon wrote.
He said the teams and equipment could be ready in 24 hours.
With offers from the four corners of the globe pouring in, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has decided "no offer that can help alleviate the suffering of the people in the afflicted area will be refused," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday.
However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid.
On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to Bush and said Russia was prepared to help if asked.
Boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators, cash assistance and medical teams have been offered to the U.S. government in Washington or in embassies overseas.
Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said.
Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it."
"You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city."
Historically, the United States provides assistance to other countries experiencing earthquakes, floods and other disasters.
Germany, which was rebuilt after World War II largely by the U.S. Marshall Plan, offered its help in a telephone call to Rice.
"The German Government is prepared to do all that is humanly possible," the German embassy said. In his call, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer assured Rice of Germany's solidarity with its American friends in a difficult time, the embassy said.
Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon called Wednesday at the State Department to offer condolences and assistance. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid, about $2.2 billion a year.
"The hearts and prayers of Israel's people are with the people of the United States and the many millions who are suffering in the regional devastation resulting from hurricane Katrina," the Israeli embassy said in a statement.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Has Africa offered to help? from what is being shown in the news, black people make up the majority of the population over there.
Hey. I don't want to twist anybody's arm, and I don't want anybody to rush to judgement neither. Things are in the works, they're afoot, they're working themselves out as we speak (oy, ve, that must be the ticket, et).
Tu have needs, we have needs also Brutus.
I have no doubts about Jan's sincerety, but I'd like to see Jan running nekkid through the jungle with a bear munching on his butt.
O.K. I admit I really don't want to see that.
Quite frankly, what should be extended is an invitation (all expense paid) for Jan to be shipped (butt or otherwise) to NO. He can make his pitch there and right in front of those to whom it is that he's pitching the tripe he was last Christmas. I'm fairly certain that Jan has some pretty lofty sounding counter-arguments to the contrary.
If I was the Machiavelian George Bush, I'd have made it exquisitely clear to the N. Koreans that we don't want a single popsicle stick from them as aide, and that they'd better get clear on where I was coming from, lest they experience my wrath. I will still nuke your face off of this planet despite some thunderstorm in my backyard.
I believe that in diplo-speak she spoke my sentitiments precisely and most exactly to Mr. Diplo-N_Korea. And I'll tell you what, he's paying attention.
don't stop people from singing kumbaya!
Congratulation, you're exactly, 100% correct.
Now, what does that have to do with the topic of this thread?
;*))))))) You just made my night!
Didn't the Donald say he could do the job for $5-600k?
Why am I reminded of the "Crack Suicide Squadron" in Monty Python's "Life of Brian"?
Seems to me that if there's anything the UN knows, its how to assist and coordinate disasters!
Maybe they will take some of these Looters "refugees" off our hands.
__________________________________________________________
Shepherd Smith and some of the bizarre media types can accompany the "refugees" and "all is forgiven" looters.
Surprised at the offer from Germany after this.
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,372434,00.html
Perhaps it was BECAUSE of this.
Russia said they would send help. IF ASKED. I saw on another thread that Australia said they would send help. IF ASKED. The other countries, I don't know. But it really grates on me. I think these countries want to see us come to them, hat in hand, and grovel.
When a tragedy happens in another country, we do for them like Israel is doing for us: What do you need? We're on our way. Oh, and our citizens contribute individually as well, not just our government.
Boy, these countries are gonna $hit a brick when we actually take them up on their offers, lol!
Great idea.
I propose we take our entire UN dues for the next 5 years and use them for the Hurricane Katrina pot. That should about pay for it!
... and while we're at it, we should suspend all foreign aid and use it here at home. Our rescue and rebuilding effort is more needy than any overseas project I can think of, including trying to save Africa from it's self-imposed AIDS epidemic!
We don't need to try and take care of the world right now. We need to take care of ourselves.
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However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid.
>>>>>
WHAT THE HECK DID FEMA REJECT THE RUSSIAN OFFER TO HELP FOR ? I SAY, TAKE IT.
Don't apologize... first - it's a sign of weakness and second you don't have anything to be sorry for...
Done!
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"The U.S. administration has agreed to accept Russias proposal to help the struggling state of Louisiana tackle the disastrous consequences of Hurricane Katrina, the Gazeta.Ru website reported Friday. "
"The United States earlier turned down Russias offer of help, saying it was thankful to Moscow for its readiness to provide assistance but that it could handle the crisis on its own. "
Israel offered US help after 9/11; they have much experience with digging victims out of rubble and terrorist mayhem, but we turned them down. Didn't want to upset the muslim countries, I guess.
If the planet would just kindly repay the loans we have passed out, that would be enough.
Most surprising and very heartwarming!
"There'd be a tidy sum available if a stop payment was placed on checks sent to "Palestine"."
And a bigger sum if made on checks made to israels, somewhere in the range of 2.5-3.0 billions per year. Now, that is some money.
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