U.S. to Offer Humanitarian Aid to Iran

[goobergunch]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States will offer humanitarian aid to Iran after an earthquake in the southern part of the country killed at least 5,000 and injured 30,000, a spokesman for President Bush said Friday.

"This is a terrible tragedy," Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said while briefing reporters aboard Air Force One. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured and the families of those who were killed."

The Bush administration expected to provide specifics soon on the assistance that will be provided to Iran.

Bush had not spoken to any Iranian leaders, said McClellan, who was flying with Bush to Texas for a weeklong holiday break at his ranch in Crawford.

more...http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_IRAN?SITE=PAPHQ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[movonne]

1. Maybe we will send them some beef!!!

[Greyhawk]

Sometimes we "do" do the right thing

I'm not sure if it's heartfelt, but at least sometimes cooler heads prevail and we try to help out a country and not just take advantage of a weakness and send in the bombers.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes...

[Red_Viking]

2. Uhhh...

Is this like the humanitarian support they were supposed to give to Africa for the AIDS crisis?

Sounds like *'s staff will collect their pocket change and send it over in an envelope.

But, perhaps they will act like humans and actually help those who are suffering in Iran. As an added bonus, it will really piss off the freepers.

:dem:

RV

[pinto]

3. update, 5.4 quake, 1.5 hrs later, same location

this must be bad:

USGS link:

http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/neic_cvag.html

[lebkuchen]

4. Too little too late to change the world's perception of the US

even given the time zone differences.

I don't have words to describe the embarrassment Bush is to the U.S.

[JailForBush]

5. Reality Check

This is like Bill Gates' "philanthropy." It's obviously nothing more than public relations. If Team Exxon invades Iran, the White House will say, "We really LIKE Iranians; just look at the aid we gave them after Iran was struck by an earthquake! Our beef is with the government, which oppresses common Iranians, and with terrorists who find find sanctuary in Iran."

Of course, Iran's government DOES oppress its citizens, a practice that dates back at least to our old ally, the Shah.

[pasadenaboy]

6. Good

I'll give bush props when he does the right thing.

1) signing the do not call bill
2) giving aid to Iran


I guess even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

[Wonk]

7. Reuters link

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=4047883

Bush: U.S. Ready to Help Iran After Quake
Fri December 26, 2003 06:14 PM ET
By Caren Bohan

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."

(snip)

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.

more...