Posted on 01/25/2010 11:34:02 AM PST by Ben Mugged
Italy's top disaster official blasted the U.S.-led relief effort in Haiti as a "pathetic" failure that is turning a national tragedy into a "vanity show for the television cameras."
Guido Bertolaso, the head of Italy's Civil Protection Agency, told Italian television on Sunday that the U.S. military "tends to confuse military intervention with emergency intervention," and that despite the presence of 13,000 U.S. troops there, "no one is giving orders."
He said there is a danger that aid will be lost by the "inefficient" operation.
Bertolaso threw darts at targets ranging from former President Bill Clinton to the United Nations, which he faulted for throwing aid packages at the island and hoping for the best.
"They thought they could bring something to eat and drink and the problem would be resolved," he told a television interviewer.
Bertolaso called for the appointment of a civilian international humanitarian coordinator.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini quickly distanced the government in Rome from Bertolaso's comments and said the Cabinet-level official was not speaking in an official capacity when he lit into the U.S.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Criticized.
Yo, Italy, how much has the US given over the years compared to you? Besides, inefficiency the name of the game in Haiti.
Inefficiency is also the name of the game in Italy.
This is a job for the UN. Haiti is not part of the U.S. Contribute money but no boots on the ground.
Since we’re not doing any good, let’s pack up and take all our belongings and see what and who is left.
Just another blowhard liberal Anti-American Globalist running his mouth.
Italy’s government is usually as stable as Haiti’s....so its good for the Haitians that Italy is not running things.
I am so tired of these America-hating Globalists...and their supporters in this country. The US is doing the best it can....and doing much better than any other nation can do
The problem is that obama let his cronies run our response there. USAID isn't fit to put out a camp fire let alone respond to something like this. And what in the hell are they talking about when they say military intervention??? For chrissake our troops are on the ground UNARMED working 20 hours a day trying to get aid to people!
The last time that Haiti enjoyed anything like good government was when the US exercised a de facto military dictatorship, administering a constitution written—its is said—by FDR when he was asst. Sec of the Navy. This is reflexive with Europeans. Their own militaries are incapable because they are starved to let the Italians, for instance, can enjoy long August vacations.
Italy - the most inept military in the world’s history. Nothing’s changed.
Bertolaso is angry because GIs were teaching Haitians how to twirl spaghetti on a fork using a spoon.
Has 80% of the disaster relief come from the Vatican?
When the USA sends planes to airports that have been destroyed by earthquakes and when the USA sends vessels to a port that has been destroyed by earthquakes.....when the USA sends everything from military personnell to helicopters to hospital ships we hear our country criticized and vilified from around the world.
IF the USA sat on the sidelines and did NOTHING at all, we would hear out country criticized and vilified from around the world.
Gee, we are the BAD GUYS no matter what we do! I think the world knows where it can go. Next time, look elsewhere.
Obama is surely uniting the world.
Send in Nagin’s and Landreiu’s busses unless Cheney blew up all up already. Poor Obama can’t get a break no matter what.
Two words, Italy: Marshall Plan. American taxpayers staked Italy’s economic development in the wake of WWII, and I don’t remember reading about any complaints then. Nor do I remember that we ever were paid back.
Italy, the paragon of efficiency solid government.
PIcture of Guido yucking it up with Obama here:
http://newshopper.sulekha.com/barack-obama-guido-bertolaso_photo_887576.htm
I heard a US military man say in a Fox interview from Haiti that they were only tasked with getting the supplies there, and opening up the airport and seaport. The State Department — through USAID — was supposed to handle distribution to the people. It appears that any fingerpointing should be in Hillary’s direction. What do you want to bet that never happens.
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