Red Cross suspends operations due to chaos in Baghdad

Deutsche World ^ | April 9, 2003 | N/A

[withteeth]

The International Red Cross has temporarily suspended its humanitarian efforts in Baghdad due to the current chaotic conditions there. A spokesman said the unpredictable situation was making it almost impossible to travel around the city. Ambulances have been unable to get to casualties due to heavy firefights between US troops and pockets of Iraqi resistance. A Canadian Red Cross worker was earlier shot dead after his vehicle was caught in a crossfire. The Red Cross is also warning of worsening conditions in Baghdad's hospitals. Many hospitals are said to operating at breaking point and lacking basic medicines, with some cut off from electricity and water. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said everything was being done to get supplies in. Other aid organisations are also concerned at the lack of fresh water for many of the Iraqi.

[withteeth]

I learned about this on the Leher Hour, where a spokeswoman was interviewed.

First, is Baghdad that dangerous? And second, hasn't the Red Cross always risked driving into cross-fire?

Margaret Warner didn't ask.

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[Psycho_Bunny]

So the Red Cross is a "fair-weather" disaster agency?

[angkor]

First, is Baghdad that dangerous?

I've been stuck in the middle of an urban coup d' etat for several days.

Yes, it's dangerous.

[Arkinsaw]

The International Red Cross announces that it will only go into safe, stable, rich nations to perform humanitarian relief.

[withteeth]

Maybe I've seen too many old newreels of Red Cross trucks traveling across battle zones.

[k2blader]

Now when I hear/read the phrase "International Red Cross" I am reminded of this article:

Two International Red Cross workers attempted to prevent the IDF from arresting a senior Islamic Jihad terrorist today. An IDF Egoz unit entered the Red Cross building in Jenin today, arrested the terrorist's accomplice, and found two Kalachnikov rifles at the site. When the soldiers asked to enter the offices, the two female workers - from the U.S. and Britain - would not allow them to do so, saying no one was inside. The Israelis insisted on entering, and found the terrorist, Shadi Sukiya, armed with a pistol. They arrested him without incident. Sukiya has long been wanted for his involvement in a series of murderous attacks against Jews.

[Carry_Okie]

Red Cross suspends operations due to chaos in Baghdad

"UN-accredited NGO" Sabotage Alert!!!

There WILL be more.

[w1andsodidwe]

Didn't know the Red Cross was even there.

Red Crescent would be the name there.

[HiJinx]

The International Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies.

They're one and the same.

[Amerigomag]

First they bitch and then they turn tail.

A real humanitrian group.

We can expect more of the same from Annan.

[error99]

Years ago I suspended my donations due to chaos in the Red Cross.

[shaggy eel]

So the Red Cross is a "fair-weather" disaster agency?

,,, the UN pulled all it's medical talent out of Iraq before the bombing started.

[Conservababe]

Is this the Crescent Red Cross?

[withteeth]

"Is this the Crescent Red Cross?"

I have no idea. But this was a NewsHour segment.

It bothered me that the the Red Cross spokeswoman was being so eloquent about the human suffering but at the same time was announcing that they were pulling out.

I kept wanting Margerat Warner to ask, 'is there any history of the Red Cross pulling out of a war zone, before now?'

[Henchman]

YOU NAILED IT. Just the lefties trying to create facts to blame the US for what they lack the testicular fortitiude to do. The International Red Cross is anti-Israel and "Socialist" controlled. They are against the Mogen David (Israeli "Red Coss"); have been joined in this by Cretan's Canada (there are a few sane Canadians left) All to prove the US was wrong. They will spend what ever it costs to blame the US; namely, all of that $400 MILLION they kept from the victims of 9/11 (if they must - probably they would prefer to pocket the money.)

[Pikachu_Dad]

Ah, (tongue in cheek) but those red cross trucks were being driven by Iraqi soldiers...

[demkicker]

This Red Cross decision is pathetically lame and proves the organization isn't worthy of support. The Red Cross is all about symbolism over substance.

I say good riddance, Red Cross. They'd probably try to charge a half dead thirsty Iraqi for a cup of water anyway, the pimps.