Bush: U.S. Ready to Help Iran After Quake

Yahoo! News ^ | Fri, Dec 26, 2003 | Caren Bohan

[F14 Pilot]

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush expressed sympathy for Iran on Friday after an earthquake there killed more than 20,000 people and offered support for a country he has deemed part of an "axis of evil."

Laura and I heard this morning of the earthquake centered in the city of Bam, Iran," Bush said in a statement from his ranch, where he will spend the New Year's holiday with his wife, Laura, and other family members.

"We are greatly saddened by the loss of life, injuries and widespread damage to this ancient city," he said. "I extend my condolences to all those touched by this tragedy."

"The thoughts of all Americans are with the victims and their families at this time, and we stand ready to help the people of Iran," Bush added.

In addition to the 20,000 believed to be dead, tens of thousands of people were injured in the quake, which destroyed much of city of Bam. The historic city is a popular tourist spot some 600 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran.

A Bush spokesman said Washington would be offering humanitarian aid to Iran but it was unclear how that offer would be extended since the United States has no official ties with Tehran.

A U.S. official said the State Department would be spelling out an aid package soon.

The United States has had tense relations with Iran for more than two decades. Washington broke diplomatic relations with Iran in 1979 after militant students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

In January 2002, Bush said Iran, pre-war Iraq and North Korea (news - web sites) made up an "axis of evil." Washington has accused Iran's government of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons.

The United States joins the United Nations, the European Union and other countries such as Russia which are also promising help to the Iranian quake victims.

"This is a terrible tragedy and we all come together behind the Iranian people at a time like this to assist those who have been injured and those families who have been impacted," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

[McGavin999]

It's not "hatred," you piddling little fop. It's reality. Now P!$$ off.

Oh really? Is this your site, I must have been mistaken. I thought it belonged to Jim Robinson. When did you take over?

[serurier]

I'm sorry My meaning is obtains peace the opportunity. Iran no longer is hostile to the democracy.

[McGavin999]

You can't really debate with some of these guys. They shave their heads and I think it does something to their brains.

[F14 Pilot]

No, the Iranians which most of them are secular Muslims like and want us.
Mmmm, It is easy to understand and I can prove it to you.

[McGavin999]

Notice how I made one post and he immediately attacked. It's a typical democrat tactic. They can't argue any other way. If you look at his posting history you'll see it's nothing but one vicious, nasty post after another.

I think the poor guy has some anger management problems.

[Capitalist Eric]

And I was hoping to have a real discussion with these guys. I love a good debate. But childish attacks are boring.

I'll get back to this in the morning... And I'll pull out the statistical data, and do the multiple-regression analyses, so you can see for yourself, the dangers of Islam. Actions, after all, do speak louder than words... But with the huge numbers of terrorist attacks by Muslims since 1983, you still refuse to believe...

And when I demonstrate with simple numbers, what Islam is about, you'll find some other way to ignore the truth...

Perhaps you'll finally understand.... But I won't hold my breath.

[DoctorZIn]

If you really have an argument, present a case for it.
All you have been doing is making declarations that are supposedly self evident truths.

[BOOTSTICK]

I have a number for the President "444", stupid people build cities out of mud, they can whistle for my $

[BOOTSTICK]

They?????!!!!!! do?????!!!!!!;lol, what nonsense!

[F14 Pilot]

Could you please tell me why do you think it was nonesense?

[DoctorZIn]

BTW, the proposition you made was that all Muslims believe the same thing. Stick to this topic.

Please don't send me tons of new things to argue about.
I want to know if you can prove this contention.

[BOOTSTICK]

The most idiotic thread ever posted on FR, you are being "worked" by the American Iranian opposition. They want american blood to purge the Mullahs.

[serurier]

Thank you,However, I think that Islam must stop the violence and intervene the common customs society .

[McGavin999]

No, they don't want American blood. They have said repeatedly that they don't want us to intervine militarily, they just want to know that we will stand by them. They're willing to do this themselves as soon as they can get organized.

[DoctorZIn]

... you are being "worked" by the American Iranian opposition. They want american blood to purge the Mullahs...

Which organization wants the US to "purge the mullahs?"

All the Iranian groups I know what to do it themselves.
They are just asking for our moral support.

[F14 Pilot]

September 18, 2001: Iranian women light candles in Tehran's Mohseni Square in memory of the victims of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC.

Ordinary Iranians mourned 9/11.. one died that night at the hands of the thugs in the regime who attacked those mourning

[Capitalist Eric]

Notice how I made one post and he immediately attacked. It's a typical democrat tactic. They can't argue any other way.

Nice try. Open up with a threat, insults, and not a single fact... Then go for that "DU" tag, when you can't come up with any better... What, call a "tinfoil alert" next???

As I said before- you're a bore. And hereby added to the "too stupid to hold a conversation" list.

[McGavin999]

ROTFLMCO, thanks I'd appreciate it. That way I can hold an intelligent conversation with those on this thread who have something interesting to say.

[BOOTSTICK]

Because the USA is the Great Satan, I read the drivel on FR about the impending pro American revolution in Iran. It's all garbage and propaganda, there simply is no wide spread pro American movement in Iran, sure there have been protests, arrests, and the like, but to think these people will become pro American is stupid! Just as today the KLA in the Balkans is helping Al Quaeda . Remember the enemy of my enemy is my friend, the Opposition in Iran is simply trying to use people like you to remove the present government. To think that when, or if the youth movement takes over , they will become pro American or pro Israel is complete folly.

[F14 Pilot]

And your evidences?