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.)
any of those nations offer to throw in a pair of shoes?
why reject Russian aid?
We could use them to quash our immediate hoodlum problem.
I just listened to her on cspan.org, fielding questions about the Black Caucus and their vicious, despicable attacks on the President and his administration. Rice responded that they were understandably emotional, nothing more.
If they had walked up to her and spit in her face, would she have stood there and acknowledged that their behavior was understandable, worthy of empathy, or somewhat valid? Because that's the message she was giving. It was sickening to listen to her.
That's no leader, and definitely not presidential material.
Drudge reported that Rice spent Wednesday night blowing thousands of dollars in new shoes in NYC and taking in a performance of Spamalot. Given what was going on in New Orleans at that time, it didn't look good.
If they want to send specialists and other people to help, we need to be wary of whom we let in and don't let in from certain countries.
And if they want to attach any conditions whatsoever to the aid they send, we need to be absolutely firm and categorically reject any such thing.
I was thinking that when the Germans offered us aid, they could send in the remnants of the Warsaw SS to cope with the problem. To rye and not to funny.....
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