Posted September 2, 200519 yr http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl0901...p.16cbe69d.html Rice says all hurricane aid offers from other countries will be accepted 04:45 PM CDT on Thursday, September 1, 2005 Barry Schweid / Associated Press WASHINGTON -- In a dramatic turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance. Venezuela, a target of frequent criticism by the Bush administration, offered humanitarian aid and fuel. Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. pledged a $1 million donation for hurricane aid. The United Nations informed U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton it was prepared to support the relief effort "in any way possible." Under Secretary-General Jan Egeland said his office had offered the services of the U.N.'s disaster assistance and coordination teams to the U.S. Agency for International Development. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent a letter to President Bush offering hundreds of doctors, nurses, technicians and other experts in trauma, natural disasters and public health. "We also offer field hospitals, medical kits and equipment for temporary housing, reinforcement for hospitals, or any assistance that you may require," Sharon wrote. He said the teams and equipment could be ready in 24 hours. With offers from the four corners of the globe pouring in, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has decided "no offer that can help alleviate the suffering of the people in the afflicted area will be refused," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday. However, in Moscow, a Russian official said the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had rejected a Russian offer to dispatch rescue teams and other aid. On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to Bush and said Russia was prepared to help if asked. Boats, aircraft, tents, blankets, generators, cash assistance and medical teams have been offered to the U.S. government in Washington or in embassies overseas. Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said. Still, Bush told ABC-TV: "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." "You know," he said, "we would love help, but we're going to take care of our own business as well, and there's no doubt in my mind we'll succeed. And there's no doubt in my mind, as I sit here talking to you, that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city." Historically, the United States provides assistance to other countries experiencing earthquakes, floods and other disasters. Germany, which was rebuilt after World War II largely by the U.S. Marshall Plan, offered its help in a telephone call to Rice. "The German Government is prepared to do all that is humanly possible," the German embassy said. In his call, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer assured Rice of Germany's solidarity with its American friends in a difficult time, the embassy said. Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon called Wednesday at the State Department to offer condolences and assistance. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid, about $2.2 billion a year. "The hearts and prayers of Israel's people are with the people of the United States and the many millions who are suffering in the regional devastation resulting from hurricane Katrina," the Israeli embassy said in a statement. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
September 2, 200519 yr That is really nice of those countries. Hopefully we can use this as a stepping stone to better relations with the international community.
September 2, 200519 yr We can use all the help we can get. I heard on Fox News people are dying in shelters in New Orleans of heat exhaustion. These people are in horrible need of help, while we just bitch about the gas prices from this. It says a lot when countries like El Salvador and Hondurus send aid to the US.
September 2, 200519 yr That is really nice of those countries. Hopefully we can use this as a stepping stone to better relations with the international community. 925716[/snapback] I have no idea why they would be willing to help, except maybe because of our efforts during the South Asian tsunami incident earlier this year. That's the best thing we've done lately in the international community.
September 2, 200519 yr That is really nice of those countries. Hopefully we can use this as a stepping stone to better relations with the international community. 925716[/snapback] I have no idea why they would be willing to help, except maybe because of our efforts during the South Asian tsunami incident earlier this year. That's the best thing we've done lately in the international community. 925774[/snapback] Are you serious? The United States has helped every single country in need (including enemies) throughout most of its history.
September 2, 200519 yr That is really nice of those countries. Hopefully we can use this as a stepping stone to better relations with the international community. 925716[/snapback] I have no idea why they would be willing to help, except maybe because of our efforts during the South Asian tsunami incident earlier this year. That's the best thing we've done lately in the international community. 925774[/snapback] Are you serious? The United States has helped every single country in need (including enemies) throughout most of its history. 925782[/snapback] I know that, but most countries prefer to blame our more recent screw-ups.
September 2, 200519 yr It's certainly a nice gesture by the countries to offer monetary aid, but they really shouldn't be offering anything more than a token amount. The US and its citizens can bare the brunt of this disaster more easily than the rest of those countries combined. Basically what this amounts to is a very marginal refund on US international aid, which I guess makes sense, and is a nice thing for those countries to do. Really, what we need more than money is men...people to help police New Orleans and help clean everything up. I don't know if it would be unprecedented for Germany (to use a random example) to send some English-speaking guard units over here, but if they were willing to send some men over here for a month or two, I think we'd be willing to forget that they didn't pitch in in Iraq.
September 2, 200519 yr It's certainly a nice gesture by the countries to offer monetary aid, but they really shouldn't be offering anything more than a token amount. The US and its citizens can bare the brunt of this disaster more easily than the rest of those countries combined. Basically what this amounts to is a very marginal refund on US international aid, which I guess makes sense, and is a nice thing for those countries to do. Really, what we need more than money is men...people to help police New Orleans and help clean everything up. I don't know if it would be unprecedented for Germany (to use a random example) to send some English-speaking guard units over here, but if they were willing to send some men over here for a month or two, I think we'd be willing to forget that they didn't pitch in in Iraq. 925847[/snapback] Or that they tried to take over the world
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