Posted on 09/10/2005 12:58:54 AM PDT by velocityguy
State Dept. drops Israel from Hurricane relief credits
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM Friday, September 9, 2005
The United States has avoided any mention of Israeli participation in the international aid effort for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
In a briefing on Sept. 6, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack focused on Arab offers of assistance to the United States.
"We also have received several large, very large, donations from Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates," McCormack said. "We have also seen donations made to the Red Cross from Australia, China, India, Ireland, Japan, Maldives, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen."
Officials said more than 90 countries and organizations have offered nearly $1 billion in assistance to Katrina victims. They cited helicopters from Canada, Russia and Singapore as well as ready-to-eat meals from Britain, Germany, Italy and Mexico. Bahrain has offered $5 million, a decision that sparked a storm in parliament.
Earlier, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also thanked donors for the Katrina relief effort. Ms. Rice cited offers of assistance from numerous countries, including China and France. She did not mention Israel.
Officials acknowledged that Israel was one of the first countries to offer to send military and civilian teams to New Orleans. But they said the administration, which has highlighted offers of aid from Islamic governments as well as American Arab and Muslim groups, asked Israel to postpone sending aid until a later stage.
The new Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes has been tasked with the presenting an image of a benign America sensitive to the Arab and Muslim world, U.S. officials said.
"She's been an active participant in policy discussions here at the department," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Sept. 1. "The secretary has made very clear that she wants Karen to be deeply involved in policy matters in order to provide an integration with communications and public diplomacy."
In three briefings over the last four days, senior State Department officials made no mention of Israel's offer to help Katrina victims. The last briefing was on Wednesday by State Department executive secretary Harry Thomas, who reported offers from Britain, Germany and Russia.
But on late Wednesday, the State Department issued a report that cited Israeli aid to Katrina victims. The report said Israel has sent tents, first aid kits and baby formula to the United States.
"Russia, China, Spain and Israel sent planes loaded with MREs [meals-ready-to-eat], relief supplies, tents, water purification units, kitchen units and medical supplies," the report said.
The administration's response was said to have alarmed Israeli diplomats, concerned that their country was being marginalized in U.S. foreign policy. Officials said the Bush administration, preoccupied by Katrina, has delayed meetings to discuss Israel's request for $2.2 billion in military and civilian assistance in connection with the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank. The administration has asked Congress for another $51.8 billion for recovery efforts.
"The Secretary [of State Condoleezza Rice] has instructed ambassadors and chiefs of mission to speak to the foreign governments at the highest level," Thomas said, "to go back in to them, thank them for their offers, tell them yes, we want your offer today or [b] we're still evaluating your offer and [c] yes, we may take your offer later as these needs become greater but we want other things."
An Israeli military delegation has postponed its departure to the United States until Thursday. A military statement said the delegation, carrying humanitarian and medical aid from Israel to New Orleans, would also include Foreign Ministry and Health Ministry.
"The delegation will transport aid equipment including 80 tons of food, disposable diapers, beds, blankets, generators and additional equipment which were donated from different governmental institutions, civilian institutions and the IDF," the statement said. "The contents of the shipment were chosen in accordance with the U.S. government."
Officials said the Bush administration delayed accepting Israel's immediate offer to help the hurricane victims. They said the administration was concerned that such a move would deter Arab and Islamic countries from offering assistance.
"At one point, the administration signaled that it would accept Israeli help, but preferred that it be as part of a mission organized by the American Jewish community," an official said. "There appeared to a problem with having the Israeli flag in a foreign rescue mission in the United States."
Pander, pander, pander.
Karen Hughes is now speaking to Muslim groups, appeasement being the order of the day. Presumably it's about avoiding worldwide Jihad, which we already have...and the price of oil. What good will this do when Iran decides to set off a few nukes? Never mind, let's put up a few Muslim whackos in the Lincoln bedroom.
Let's subtract $2.2 billion from NO giveaway schemes and give that to Israel.
Why?
In the end, Israel will be facing all the other nations in the world in a fight for her very survival. That was written millenia ago, and we are seeing that prophecy on its way to fulfillment. How much longer this will take is anyone's guess, but my best guess is a lot sooner than many think...
the infowarrior
And 50% of the cost is a few high-value gifts passed under the table to the bosses to allow the whole thing to go on.
Well, they didn't have a problem with the Mexican Army driving into NO... It's really sad when our government treats one of its very few friends in the world this way.
This boggles the mind.
Thank You!!! There is a big picture here that about 75% of all the world will never get. If you have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Check out what Deuteronomy 27:15-26 and 28 and 29 tells all about the curses and blessings. The story of what is said in Genesis 12, 15, and 17 does not end there, the story continues on.
This is BS, I'm not buy this, remember this is from the MSM who would say anything to make BUSH look bad.
"At one point, the administration signaled that it would accept Israeli help, but preferred that it be as part of a mission organized by the American Jewish community," an official said. "There appeared to a problem with having the Israeli flag in a foreign rescue mission in the United States."
This is a stench.
This administration has gone too far. Their 'wisdom' is foolishness.
They will reap what they sow.
Well, the gov't did refuse the immediate Israeli offer of field hospitals. Their quality is well-respected and I believe they could have had them set up in the US in something like 24 hours. Probably would have saved a lot of lives and avoided permanent injuries and suffering in the Superdome and other places hsd the offer been accepted.
But is the Bush administration an enemy of Israel?
Better suffering Americans then offended Islamics.
How can anyone continue to support this administration?
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