Posted on 09/01/2005 3:12:41 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch
20 countries offer Katrina aid From correspondents in Washington 02sep05
MORE than 20 countries, from allies Germany and Japan to prickly Venezuela and poor Honduras, have offered to help the United States cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Accustomed to being a rich donor rather than on the receiving end of charity, the United States initially seemed reticent about accepting foreign aid, but later said it would take up any offers. The hurricane devastated New Orleans and other parts of the US Gulf Coast, killing hundreds and possibly thousands. "Anything that can be of help to alleviate the tragic situation of the area affected by Hurricane Katrina will be accepted," said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
"America should be heartened by the fact that the world is reaching out to America at a time of need," he said.
Earlier, President George W. Bush said in a television interview that the United States could take care of itself.
"I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it," Mr Bush told ABC's Good Morning America.
Mr McCormack said there had not been a change of position over accepting foreign aid and White House spokesman Scott McClellan also said the United States would take up offers of help.
The State Department said offers so far had come from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, China, Jamaica, Honduras, Greece, Venezuela, the Organisation of American States, NATO, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, South Korea, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
Assistance ranged from medical teams, boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators and cash donations.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wrote to Mr Bush offering medical teams that specialised in trauma and natural disasters and said they could be ready in 24 hours.
"During these difficult times, we, the people of Israel stand firmly by your side in a show of solidarity and friendship," said the letter, which was released by the Israeli Embassy in Washington.
Where the United States really needs help is getting cheap oil and the Bush administration will be approaching Arab nations and other oil producers over the coming days.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area.
The State Department did not comment on Venezuela's offer but several officials smiled at the gesture from Mr Chavez, who yesterday called Mr Bush a "cowboy" who failed to manage the disaster.
Cuban President Fidel Castro, a close Chavez ally, led a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of Katrina in parliament on today. The parliament then returned to normal business with a resolution attacking Mr Bush over the Iraq war.
I am heartened to see the offers. Thanks for the post I was curious which countries had made offers.
I don't remember receiving any help from the international community after 9/11 nor would I have wanted any. To have other countries bail us out would make us look like some third world banana republic. The U.S. bails other countries out, not the other way around.
Anything received from outside relieves my tax burden.
I dont need someone else to tell me what I need to be thankful for. Im sick to death of these countries badmouthing us while they have their hands out for aid. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, Im PO'd. And Im calling them on it. If you dont like it, dont read my posts..
Amen.
How can America win a War on Terror if we can't even take care of a disaster in our own country? If we can't do this by ourselves with the awesome military we have and the generosity of the American people, then we should just stop being a superpower.
Exactly, I should have added "Any Countries From The African Continent" to my incomplete list. South Africa, Egypt and our new "friend" Libya to name three. I'm also peeved at the fact that not ONE SINGLE COUNTRY in South America has offered help. Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Equador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, none of them has even offered to send one doctor. I'm angry and disgusted that after all the assistance we have given to countries, both "friends" and known enemies, over the years that only a handful have offered to help us. Screw em'.
I apologize if you felt I was ordering you to be thankful. I hope and pray you will, but of course I cannot make you be such. It might make you feel a bit happier if you think about the good things we have here.
But of course you are entitled to your opinion. After all, it's a free country! Best wishes to you.
Think you're being unnecessarily aggressive and rude to pa mum. She has a valid point of view. People who disagree with you aren't automatically idiots, you know.
Thanks. You sound like a good guy, uh gal?!
My posts to pa mom were out of line, I read things into her posts that werent there. Im sorry for being so rude..
As thankful as I am for being a citizen of the greatest country on the face of the earth, I think we should be humble and accept any support with great thanks.
I can understand an attitude like "Hey, we rebuilt so and so and so after WWII." However, I just don't think it's warranted at this time.
What's really getting my dander up is the finger-pointing: Democrats vs. Republicans, city vs. state, state vs. federal, etc. There will be plenty of opportunity for that down the road. For now, let's work together to save as many people as we can.
Good post. Yesterday was a bad day. I had spent all day at work listening to group of people towing the Bush-Kyoto line. Then driving home, I had to listen to a local radio show where people were calling in saying Bush was racist for leaving black citizens in the lurch in NO. The final capper came while perusing my schools message board. Bush held out on ordering the evacuation so he could drive oil prices up. These are college students! My perceived ungratefulness of the abovementioned countries was the last straw, maybe I should stay away from the news for awhile..!
What a man!
and to add to the irony, I read today where France and Germany, two countries I have never liked or trusted(politically, of course), are spearheading an effort to ship refined gasoline to the US to help out. It was a Reuters story, I think. Crow really tastes nasty!
Hey, it's Labor Day. Throw it on the grill!
Have a great weekend.
I see nothing that reeks of "self righteousness" in your post. Ignore the critics.
I think I will mention these peoples by name in my prayer time tonight. Being a "wealthy" nation doesn't immunize one from "taking it on the chin", and their offers of help should be accepted with gracious thanks.
Anything to help those devastated by the disaster is welcome, IMO.
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