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.

[Capitalist Eric]

"I have read the Koran, and I believe that at their core, Islam is the same- regardless of whether they're terrorists or simply devouts Muslims."

This statement is accurate. Because the Koran is the word of God. That you are too niave to understand the underlying significance of what I've told you, is your problem and not mine. That you have no understanding of this fundamental difference in the ways that people think of religion, will always blind you. But again, it's not my problem.

You still haven't made your case,

Yes, actually I have. That you refuse to understand what I have told you, matters not at all... You understanding (or obvious lack thereof) changes nothing.

As I said, you don't wish to understand.

you just declare it like it is a personal "belief" of yours. Why should we believe you?

I don't particularly care if you consider what I've told you a belief or not, any more than I care if you believe E=Mc^2, that the Earths' gravitational acceleration (at sea level) is 32FT/Sec^2, or that the Earth is round. By your logic, because you haven't measured E=Mc^2, or gravitational acceleration, or actually been in orbit to see the curve of the Earth, none of it is real.

Go back and read the Koran, with the understanding in the back of your mind, that this is the DIRECT word of God- not to be "interpreted." If you do that, you will understand... But not until then.

[cajungirl]

I lost track of who said what, but you didn't seem to be impolite. Sometimes I wonder if it is a "guy thing",,you know something bad happens and all the guys want to do is strap on a gun and go kill someone. Kind of like when a daughter comes home crying about a boyfriend, and Dad wants to go beat the tar out of him.

[F14 Pilot]

Thanks for sharing your comment with us.

[SouthernFreebird]

But US has a history of helping Iran after quakes, for example the ones in 1962, 1968, 1990, 1997, 2002, and now this one. Let us hope this aid helps strengthen US/Iran relations

Because it's worked so well for us all those other times Eh...? /eyeroll

[BOOTSTICK]

the Quran is actually the gospels of Satan, since Allah is satan as proven in the Quran.

[mansion]

Countries change over time! Let's not forget, at one time the US was allied with Stalin and S. Hussein!

[cajungirl]

Get a grip man,,you are rapidly going over the edge!! Maybe a nice cup of coffee.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I am curious as to how many people who have posted on this subject have actually visited an Islamic country since they seem to speak with such authority on the subject.

[hershey]

This is anecdotal, but bear with me: An Iranian immigrant family who've been here maybe six years, is trying very hard to become Americans. The grandmother arrived this past fall. I don't think she understands much English, but they're all desperate to put down permanent roots. The father is a software engineer, maybe was lucky enough to attend college here in MA., then went home and got the rest of his family out. When Iran is in the news, with WMD threats, etc.,I can tell they're worried, not just for relatives back in Iran, but for themselves. They watch me to see if I smile, and I do. Unless I see him building bombs in the driveway instead of putting snow tires on his car, I'll trust my instincts. Okay, one more story, and I'm still ashamed. During WWII, my family lived next door to the Forrestal estate, he was the Sec. of Defence, I think. And committed suicide, but that's beside the point. A family of German Jews arrived, still terrified out of their wits --they'd been spirited out of Germany. They stayed in the apartment over our garage for a few weeks until they could be relocated with relatives. I was four and read the papers, but didn't know they were Jews. They were GERMANS, and my best friend (another brat), and I decided to protect the homefront. We put tacks all over the driveway and drove a few into their tires. It didn't take my parents long to figure out who'd done it. I explained why. They explained why not, and I apologized to the German family, who moved away a few days later. My father said they'd endured unmentionable horrors in Germany, so even this incident gave them nightmares. God knows, our war on terror is unimaginably worse than WWII. If Western civilization is to survive, we have to be ready to lock and load. But it doesn't hurt to help Iranians in trouble. If down the line, we're occupying that country, on their way to democracy, those helped now might not take up arms to shoot our soldiers in the back.

[SouthernFreebird]

Since they would probably kill me if I was to open my bible in their Country, I choose to visit safer places. Besides I don't look good in a black, head to toe sack....visit an Islamic Country....Bwahahahahah

[SouthernFreebird]

Point being that Iran hasn't changed after years of getting help from America.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Well said Hershey!

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I have visited, didn't wear black and there were 2 Greek Orthodox churches in the capital city. The people were wonderful to me and I made it back alive only to return for another visit there.

[F14 Pilot]

Sorry, but have you ever been to an Islamic country?

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I visted Doha Qatar twice and also Bahrain.

[F14 Pilot]

Arabian countries are different from Iran.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I am very aware of that, different language, culture, history, etc. My point is that it seems easy for some people to demonize all muslims without having met any or experienced their culture firsthand. Instead of certain people having any compassion for those who are hurt, grieving or missing in the earthquake in Iran, the discussion traveled so far away from the original message-President Bush is following the teachings of Jesus Christ and offering those in need a hand.

[F14 Pilot]

And I tried to post President's message not to make a place to fight.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Oh, I know that you didn't try to make a fight. It's just sad that good intentions sometimes end up being grounds for fighting on this website. I felt like I was in the mens restroom at a bar and guys were fighting over who could pee further.

[Prodigal Son]

Regarding that DU link- Wow, they really lap that stuff up like Gravy Train don't they? And they seriously believe they can rule this country?