NEWS: US dissolves tsunami aid "core group", agrees to work under UN

The United States is set to dissolve the tsunami disaster group it formed to deal with distributing aid to the effected nations. The group would continue to work under the auspices of the United Nations. In a statement made to the press, Secretary of State Colin Powell, stated that the initial group had served its purpose to catalyze the international response.



Given the large amount of money involved I am very reluctant to have the U.N. administer it. Over watch of them is necessary if we are to avoid another oil for food debacle. The coalition between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and others had pledged over 1.5 billion between them and I would hate to see that money get eaten up in the inefficient U.N. bureaucracy.

The recent $800 million aid deal given by Australia to Indonesia was organized bilaterallly, so I can't see why other nations can't do the same. Why not just give the money straight to the needy nations. And if those nations have trouble distributing it, then they could ask for the UN to step-in. This may be the arrangement already Otherwise nations are simply donating money to the UN, not the affected nations, and hoping the UN will distribute it properly.

I'll echo those sentiments. With all the money that's been given there's more than a little room for some sticky-fingered bureaucrats to dip into the pot or misuse the funds. The outpouring of generosity was wonderful, but in this case it's more than the thought that counts.

Oh criminy.
Don't let Kofi near any of that money.

Originally posted by Banshee
Oh criminy.
Don't let Kofi near any of that money.

Or his son for that matter

While I see the USA allowing our contributions to now fall under the UN's "jurisdiction", I wouldnt think for a second that the current coalition of nations will give up control within the UN of this process. The coalition is mearly draping themselves in the UN flag to further gain good will from nations currently not very pleased with USA/coalition activities elsewhere.
Im fine with the UN serving this fashion, as long as the preexisting coalition of aid countries stays the lead ones involved instead of just handing over the money to an internal and questionably credible group.

This is insane. Why in the hell would the U.S. give another cent to that crooked organization? Let our military do the work along with the private charities.

US out of UN. UN out of US!

I'd feel better with the US and Japan, Canada, etc., having their own coalition to deal with this. I've an extreme distrust of the UN, and don't see it to be necessary that the funds, etc., be distributed by the UN.

Just my opinion.

Maybe this initial Burst off the starting line by the US and the core group, was nothing more than a lesson on "How to get something done".

A lesson for the UN, that is.
The world could not wait this time.

Look you bums, THIS is how you respond to these situations. This is
your LAST lesson.

This is the big one, Screw it up, game over



PS. We're watching the money this time

DUMB MOVE

The money will disappear and what does get done will
be too little, too late.

Oh ... and those crime infested UN refugee camps will,
as always, become havens for child pornographers and
kidnappers of children to make them into prostitutes.

Let's hope the poor survivors of the tsunami can survive
the 'good will' (incompetence & criminality) of the U.N.