Qatar gives 100 million dollars for US hurricane relief

news.yahoo.com ^ | 1 hour, 26 minutes ago Sept 3, 05

[Esther Ruth]

Qatar gives 100 million dollars for US hurricane relief 1 hour, 26 minutes ago

DOHA (AFP) - The Gulf emirate of Qatar announced it will donate 100 million dollars to relief efforts for the US victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The aid was granted by Qatar's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani "in the name of the government and the Qatari people," the official news agency QNA said.

Quoting a foreign ministry spokesman, QNA said: "Qatar expresses its sympathy and its solidarity to the US people and government in these painful circumstances and sends its condolences to the families of the victims in this humanitarian catastrophe."

Three other Arab countries -- Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates -- have also offered aid to the United States.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

Condi denied categorically that anyone has been turned down.

Perhaps officially from the State Department, but President Bush did turn down any thought of international aid. I know, because I was watching TV when he said it during some prepared remarks after the question was posed to him.

Somebody out there has to have the transcript, audio or video of that since I saw it and heard it with my own eyes. Rice is referring to the official State Department position.

[George W. Bush]

Excuse me. What is the difference between Al Jazeera and CNNABCNBCCBS?

Some days, there is no difference.

[George W. Bush]

Perhaps officially from the State Department, but President Bush did turn down any thought of international aid.

Bush may have made a dismissive remark. But I stand by the press conference I saw. I think we are going to take aid.

when it comes to speech turning to policy turning to action, Condi is pretty measured in her speech and actions. Our prez does occasionally say what he thinks instead of what he ends up doing.

Beyond that, many people would question his turning down some of the aid offered. After all, it's not his family suffering in NOLA. Whether Bush or anyone else likes it or not, it's going to be pretty hard to turn down offers other than those from Cuba and Venezuela. But they can tell Red China it can keep its lousy $100,000 as far as I'm concerned. That's a deliberate insult to us and the only 'offer' I personally resent.

[JasonC]

Well, that would indeed be a good thing to ask them to stop, then, I quite agree. Incidentally, I also support zeroing funding for NPR and the CPB. People should not be forced to subsidize views they despise.

[rdl6989]

At first I though this was a joke.

You mean it ain't? This is not the reaction I expected from that corner of the world.

[nuconvert]

"Incidentally, I also support zeroing funding for NPR and the CPB"

Me, too

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

I though I saw China offered $5 million. If it was $100,000, well. Even $5 million is an insult. With their economy, they should offer at least $1 billion (USD), considering we have sent them over $1 trillion in recent years in export $.

[bill1952]

I happen to agree with that sentiment, only more directed at SA.

I seem to remember one of their myriad of Princes giving Rudy a check, but at the same time saying that it was our support of the Jews that was to blame.

Rudy quite correctly spit in their face.

I hope that Qatar didn't add that little racist homily

[AFPhys]

Thank you, Qatar.

[bill1952]

Jogging an old memory, I believe that there is a Phoenician one, as well.

[Silverdrake]

Yeah, I kinda said that.

[MikefromOhio]

ohh yeah...

I got to see the LNG terminal they have in Doha. It was interesting.

[bill1952]

That puts me in mind of an old WKRP in Cincinnati episode where a taped last will and testament showed the deceased's wish to leave "less than nothing" to a relative.

[ZOTnot]

I don't know what to think about them....

However, if the mayor is now banning them, I would say he now has TWO strikes against him...

[nuconvert]

"I happen to agree with that sentiment, only more directed at SA."

Qatar and Saudi play both sides of the fence. Qatar doesn't want to see a successful democracy in Iraq any more than the Saudis do.

I applauded Giuliani's decision.

[staytrue]

Qatar outdid China

They outdid everyone but the collective citizens of the US. Any reason you single out china, when a typhoon is bearing down on them as we speak ?

[rkhampton]

Mississippi is likely to surpass 100 billion dollars.

I think that's assuming it's all going to be rebuilt, which I doubt. At least I hope not with my tax dollars.

[Earthdweller]

"I remember when the Tsunami hit, the French were b!tchin how cheap the US was!"

"How bout it France?"

Yes ....where are those great humanitarians?

[nuconvert]

"They should keep their money and shut down Al Jazeera instead. That will save more American Lives."

Hear, Hear!

[hoosiermama]

HOpe it goes to reconstruct the bridges and roads or communication system.....The RC and SA will get what they need.