United States of the World?, page 1

We have done such things before, help other countries and not getting anything in return.

" Introduction and Summary

The overall situation in Burma has changed little over the past six months. The Burmese government released most persons arrested during the government�s May 2003 attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy. However, many pro-democracy supporters rounded up in the aftermath of the attack remain in detention; National League for Democracy (NLD) offices remain closed; senior opposition party leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo, remain largely incommunicado under house arrest; and the government refuses to investigate the May attack. The Government of Burma (GOB) also has arrested more people for their peaceful political activities over the past six months, while over a thousand persons remain jailed for their political beliefs. The ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has focused efforts on promoting its own seven-step �road map� to a "genuine and disciplined democratic system." Although the SPDC unveiled the plan in August 2003 following the announcement of new U.S. sanctions, the junta has yet to set a timetable for the transition or give assurances that all political parties and ethnic groups will be included in a transparent and democratic process. In recent months, the SPDC and the Karen National Union (KNU) entered into serious cease-fire negotiations, which could bring an end to decades of conflict.

The U.S. consults with the European Union and others to maintain pressure on the Burmese junta to make progress toward a political transition. Following the events of May 30, the EU expanded the scope of its asset freeze and visa restrictions; Canada imposed visa restrictions; and Japan froze new development assistance to the junta. The UK has frozen over 3500 pounds of assets while other countries have blocked only minimal amounts; Japan is now providing assistance to some projects. No other country has adopted the economic sanctions imposed by the U.S.

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www.state.gov...

" -- Fifth, through Colombia�s Ministry of Interior, we have funded, since May 2001, a program that has provided protection to 1,676 Colombians whose lives were threatened, including human rights workers, labor activists, and journalists.

-- Sixth, the U.S. Government-funded Early Warning System alerts Colombian authorities to threats of potential massacres or other human rights abuses, enabling them act to avert such incidents. To date, the EWS has issued 106 alerts.

-- Seventh, the U.S. - working with non-governmental organizations and international agencies - has provided assistance to 330,000 Colombians displaced by violence since mid-2001.

-- Eighth, our program to demobilize child soldiers has helped 272 children to re-integrate into society."

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www.state.gov...

" Operation Noble Response
Kenya

21 January 1998 - 25 March 1998

Overview: In early 1998, Kenya was savaged by the arrival of persistent, heavy El Nino-spawned rains. The flooding that soon followed caused one of the most significant famines in recent history. In response, the United States formed Joint Task Force Kenya, led by a headquarters element from I Marine Expeditionary Force. A U.S. Special Operations humanitarian assistance survey team was also deployed to determine the extent of damage and the requirements of the starving and displaced populace. In addition, personnel from AFSOC Reserves and USASOC Civil Affairs assisted conventional US military units in the disbursement of food and supplies. In all, over two million pounds of aid were delivered by this combined force."

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www.specialoperations.com...

We have helped quite a few countries I would say, and there have been quite a few that we had no interest, except to want to help them.