U.N. slams U.S. as 'stingy' over tsunami aid!

The United Nations wants (us), the United States to raise our taxes to pay for Tsunami aide?

Are these people at the United Nations ****ing nuts!

First the UN slams the United States on the War in Iraq.

Then we find out the United Nations was in bed with Iraq prior to the war and they did not want the loose the cash cow.

Then we find out about the United Nations Oil for Food scandal where Billions went into the pockets of UN officals and now the UN wants more money for aide?

I think President Bush made a smart move by not giving a blank check to the UN, as they expected!

Yes, aide must be sent to help in the recovery and to assist these people in time of need!

But through the United Nations I dont think so!

www.washtimes.com...

U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised. ????

Originally posted by SIRR1
The United Nations wants (us), the United States to raise our taxes to pay for Tsunami aide?

Are these people at the United Nations ****ing nuts!

First the UN slams the United States on the War in Iraq.

Then we find out the United Nations was in bed with Iraq prior to the war and they did not want the loose the cash cow.

Then we find out about the United Nations Oil for Food scandal where Billions went into the pockets of UN officals and now the UN wants more money for aide?

This is what he actually said:

"It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really," the Norwegian-born U.N. official told reporters. "Christmastime should remind many Western countries at least, [of] how rich we have become."
"There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy," he said, adding that politicians in the United States and Europe "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."

He didn't say why is the US so stingy as the author of that article tried to spin it.
He was speaking of Western nations, including his own.

I agree he was over the line suggesting that taxes in Europe and the US raise taxes to be able to give more to the rest of the world.

BTW Please, please, please stop with this BS argument of billions going into the pockets of UN officals. You know that's its not true.

Am sorry to say it but the UN has got a point. Us westerners grow fat while the rest of the world gets poar. But this is the way the world is, it stinks. People never think about there neighbours these days. Its more what I can get than what I can give. My Mum always says the best gift you can give anyone is time. No one has time these days, its a selfish world we live in.

The UN is bad news. They are a bunch nations who hate america. They are jealous of our success. You know, I feel bad for the people who got hit bu the tsunami but if I want to give my money, I WILL!

I don't want any arguments about this. The UN is scum and it is bad news. Mfouri, I think you were misinformed about the UN.

I AM AN AMERICAN! I WORK FOR MYSELF! SEE IF YOU CAN! That's why we are rich, we have better ideas and we work harder. F*** off UN

Forgive my language, even when I did censor it, the UN needs to go down!

The UN is only as good or bad as its members, remember that.

If the UN is as evil and corrupt as many people think it is, why don't you advocate for change in their procedures, or appointment policies. I agree there are changes that should be made, but I could comfortably say that about everything with the exception of potatoes. Potatoes are just fine the way they are, but everything else could use some attending to. So I agree that the UN should change, but it doesn't have to disappear.

If the UN was a non regulatory charity, it could twice as much good. They don't need an army, they don't need to be a huge, paid, networking service for international businessmen. They can be whatever we want them to be. Right?

Me watched cbc last night and canada is giving 4.5 million total, bill graham (the defense minister) spoke at a press meeting and gave the specifics, 3 million to something, 1 million to somthing then half a million to something else but it's all going in aide, plus world vision canada is recieving many phonecalls from canadians who want to help donate...

There are other organizations besides the UN that is helping with food, clothing, ect... unicef.ca is also taking donations, I wish I could remember the others but it seems canada is doing what they can.

The U.S i'm sure is doing what they can too.. Colin Powell and Ed Fox were at a press meeting yesterday (on cspan) didn't get the details but they mentioned what they were going to do...

Here's what the US is doing to help...


The United States dispatched disaster specialists yesterday and prepared an initial $15 million (euro11 million) aid package to the Asian countries hit by a massive earthquake and tsunamis.

At the same time, US officials were seeking to contact hundreds of Americans who remain unaccounted for in the region.
Secretary of State Colin Powell said eight Americans died in the natural disaster, and that embassy officials were trying to locate other US citizens who have not been heard from since Sunday's quake.

"We will do everything we can to immediately help," Powell said. "This is, indeed, an international tragedy."
US officials immediately sent $100,000 (euro73,925) each to India, Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and planned to donate $4 million (euro3 million) later yesterday to help Red Cross disaster efforts, Powell said.

The initial US aid package being crafted was expected to reach at least $15 million (euro11 million), said Ed Fox of the US Agency for International Development. He called it an initial response until surveys are concluded and requests considered.

Also, Fox said, the United States was drawing on shelter, food, water cans and other supplies that were kept in reserve in the Philippines and in Dubai.

Powell cautioned that was a "quick infusion" and that the administration was prepared to help with long-term rebuilding.

He also said while several hundred Americans were unaccounted for, it does not imply they were casualties. "It just means we haven't been able to reach out and get contact with them," he told reporters at the State Department.

President George W Bush, who is relaxing at his Texas ranch, has sent letters of condolences to leaders of the seven countries that were affected by the earthquake, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said Monday.

The president received a special briefing Monday morning about the situation in Asia, has seen pictures of the damage on television and has spoken on the phone with Powell, Duffy said.

"This is a terrible tragedy," he said. "There is a significant loss of life. And our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are suffering."
Asked whether the United States was concerned that terrorists might take advantage of the catastrophe, Duffy said.

"We wouldn't get into any classified types of information, but the American people can rest assured that no matter what happens in the world, that the government will be doing everything it can to protect the American people from terrorism."

Assessment groups were sent to Thailand and Indonesia, and 21 specialists will fan out through the region to help with sanitation, health and relief supplies, Fox said. Most of the specialists are based in Thailand.

The US Navy said it sent three P-3 surveillance aircraft from Kadena air base on the Japanese island of Okinawa to Utaphao, Thailand, to conduct survey operations, including a possible role in search-and-rescue efforts.

The Navy said it had no reports of damage to any of its ships or bases in the region.

In a nutshell

ps: while america is larger then canada they can send more, canada is doing what they can too... nobody is stingy.. populations differ much, and that can affect the jing... but know they are being "helped" when the money is put together to help, these countries will be much grateful..

on a side note: mfourl, how much have you donated to unicef or other organizations?? And if you can't donate, have you volunteered or canvassed around your neighbourhood??

[edit on 28-12-2004 by TrueLies]

I love it...the US drops 15 mil with more to come I'm sure, and we're called stingy. Pardon my language, but F*** the UN!

Huh?

U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised.

Would a proper translation be, considering the U.N.'s hand in the Oil For Food Program Scandal, that: There is not enough for 'us' to siphon off our cut? Oh....that's right, millions does not equate to billions, eh?

Damned if we do and damned if we don't, eh Jan Egeland?
Whats the UN done lately for Sudan, btw?
Whats the UN done to halt the mounting sex scandals they are alledged to be involved in?
But the Western world is "stingy"?
Jan Egeland, you are aware that the US contribution was just an initial one? Word is that an additional $20 million is going to be added?

Heads up Jan Egeland and the UN, you have further made yourselves irrelevant.

The United States gives out $13.3 billion tax dollars
in direct Foreign Aid annually. The United States is
above and beyond the single most generous benefactor
of the United Nations, donating $2.4 billion dollars
of YOUR money, to primarily third-world dictators.

This amount is 25% of the United Nations budget. In
addition, the United States also gives another $1.4
billion tax dollars to United Nations' programs and
agencies. The American taxpayers fund more for the
United Nations than ALL of the other 177 member
nations COMBINED.

Unconfirmed but Interesting

Blah....




seekerof

[edit on 28-12-2004 by Seekerof]

Him suggesting taxes should be raised was just plain dumb.


Plus, the thing just happened a couple days ago!
We said we would give 15 mil now until further damage assesment is done and send more as needed. That's excellent, not stingy. What an idiot....

His suggestion to raise taxes was sorta appalling if you chose to be selective.

I believe the comments made were directed towards top leading nations within the UN to step up and contribute more, suggesting that society will accept a tax raise believing in the greater good of the cause.

The word stingy was used to describe the US and Europe, basically 70% of the UN.

I keep reading comments from fellow Americans who seem confused, like the US is not already the most powerful governing presence within the United nations.

The American taxpayers fund more for the
United Nations than ALL of the other 177 member
nations COMBINED.

Way, way off.

The US does contribute more than any single nation but not more than other nations combined. Japan itself provides almost as much of the UN budget as the US.

This is from the UN:


UN regular budget


UN Peacekeeping operations budget


Official development aid

www.un.int...

The US is one of the most humanitarian countries on the planet and donates more money to such causes than any other in the world, and even more so that many combinations of other countries. Why shouldn't the US government give out, in its generosity and humanity, the lions share of releif funds to these people? 40,000 people are confirmed dead, another 20,000 are entirely missing and could be dead, and with all the destruction there are going to be increases of diseases and more deaths from that. The US has the power, financially, to do something, and should.

Hey AceofBase....I guess thats why the article was posted as Unconfirmed in the first place, huh?

Thats why Mr. Jan Egeland and the UN are currently "back pedaling" at the moment too, huh?
U.N. Coordinator Praises Disaster Response

Jan Egeland told reporters his complaint Monday that rich nations were "stingy" when it came to helping poorer nations wasn't directed at any country or at the response to this weekend's disaster.

In relation to this topic and the initial article presented, did he not specifically "suggest":

...that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds...

Back pedaling, indeed.




seekerof

Australia has only given 10 million so far which i think is a bit stingy, although the government says it will be giving more. I don't see what the wait is for we should give more aid money right now so that it can be used to ease the suffering. Considering how much we spend on wars and stuff 10 mil is nothing, it wouldn't even buy a jet fighter. I really hope we show some true generosity to our neighbours and help them a lot.

BTW AceofBase, noticed that your charts were from 2000 and less? Interesting that the year 2000 was picked, eh?
Maybe this will help:

ODA is basically aid from the governments of the wealthy nations, but doesn't include private contributions or private capital flows and investments. The main objective of ODA is to promote development.

The US and Foreign Aid Assistance

A chart is given about 1/4 of the page down, listing the years, up to 2003.



seekerof

Originally posted by Seekerof
The US and Foreign Aid Assistance

A chart is given about 1/4 of the page down, listing the years, up to 2003.



seekerof

The chart of ODA/OA recipients was surprising to me.

1. Egypt
2. Russia
3. Israel

I was expecting something more like Haiti, Sudan, Ethiopia etc...

Yet another ATS thread goes off topic

Nah AceofBase.
As per Post Number: 1051746, still on topic.

Though the off-topic is an interesting topic within itself.




seekerof

Originally posted by AceOfBase

Originally posted by Seekerof
The US and Foreign Aid Assistance

A chart is given about 1/4 of the page down, listing the years, up to 2003.



seekerof

The chart of ODA/OA recipients was surprising to me.

1. Egypt
2. Russia
3. Israel

I was expecting something more like Haiti, Sudan, Ethiopia etc...

Yet another ATS thread goes off topic

Russia and Israel i can understand, they both have nukes and probably would get angry if they didn't get their money... yeah you don't want to make someone with nukes angry Then again if they didnt waste their money on nukes they might not need aid money. Egypt on the other hand doesn't have nukes to fear and while poor it isn't as poor as a lot of other countries.

seekerof...you are by far my favorite poster on ATS

As for the UN I think they should spend there money they got from The Oil-for-food Scandal... wasn't it something like $20 billion? $20 billion would do wonders for Asia right now....

I hate the UN! The US should leave them to rot. Stop financing them and send the aid money directly to the countries themselves. I'm all for helping other nations out but sending the money to the UN who then sends it to the countries is not something I support!

Yeah, and I call the U.N. a pack of blood-sucking greedy-bastard thieves for the way they've stolen from the Iraqi people and are exploiting the African continent's resources.


so take that.