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Tropical Storm Relief

Monaco would like to propose that the generous example of Russia is followed and that an international relief package is prepared for those areas of America hit by Hurricane Katrina, and also for Taiwan which is about to be hit by Typhoon Talim.

Our sincere condolences to those affected, in whatever way, by this tragedy go without saying.

Reply 1

Lord Waddell

Saudi Arabia seconds the motion, and will gladly do whatever is required to relieve the victims and flooded areas. We also offer our condolences to the United States of America and to the victims of this tragedy.

Reply 2

sherunsaway

Gabon reckons that America has significant enough resources to co-ordinate the relief effort on it's own.

Reply 3

Agent Smith

Monaco accepts Gabon's point, and would hasten to add that it was not intended that the US should be portrayed as totally incapable of responding on its own. On the other hand, we feel it would be unkind of the major nations not to offer aid (and this is a good place to thank the Saudis for their generosity), even if the US feels it is unnecessary. Monaco does not know whether the Russians' offer has been accepted, merely that it has been made.

However, incredibly, it seems that the US response has been tiny so far. "Dozens" of helicopters and 8500 reservists. Monaco cannot understand (genuinely, that's not sarcasm) why, after having quite correctly acknowledged Katrina as one of the worst disasters in US history, Bush does not send everything he's got down there straight away.

Reply 4

fr browne

Irleand agrees that America being it closest ally should give help and also be willing to recieve help. This is a time when us nations can assist AMerica in its clean up operations.

A natural disaster is a natural disaster anywehre in the world. It striking a western nation does not make it any less shocking. Infrastructure has vanished, medical, food, and clean water supplies are needed as well as help in the rebuiling proccess. This is where Ireland can offer assisance as we train some of the highest qualifeid achitects and town planners in the world.

Reply 5

Agent Smith

It has been rightly said that what America needs is not foreign troops but experts who know how to optimise the efficiency of the troops that are there.

Monaco would reiterate to the United States, though, that more troops and a reality check are urgently needed. 300 reservists with battle experience have been dispatched to New Orleans with orders to shoot-to-kill looters. Monaco is very strongly against this decision and feels that the sooner supplies can be restored, the sooner the looting will stop - getting things up and running again should thus, we feel, be a higher priority than artificially adding to the death toll by shooting miscreants. Until then, regrettably, stealing food seems to be the only way for people to stay alive.

Reply 6

gemgems89

Agent Smith

Israel concurs, we will do whatever it takes to help the people of America in this tragic disaster and we offer our sincerest condolences. At times like this, countries should all unite as one and help any country, regardless of their power or political stance; innocent people are being affected.

Reply 7

fr browne

It has been noted that even Iran has sent aid supplies to help those affectted by the disaster, putting aside difference for the good of humanity.

Reply 8

Agent Smith

Monaco notes with a sense of irony that the EU had to be asked by the US before they gave aid, and would ask why there was no EU response before this. We suspect a slow-moving bureaucracy, rather than malice or callousness; nevertheless, Monaco would suggest changing the system in whatever ways necessary to enable faster mobilisation of aid. This would also avoid a recurrence of the current embarassing situation, with the EU appearing somewhat ungenerous.

Reply 9

fr browne

Seperate EU nations have donated aid and it would be unfair to say that the EU is ungenerous. Am I right in saying that the EU has under its control an Aid distribution committee who would then in turn oversee the distribution of aid. Maybe they thought the individual nation's response was enough at that time. Since it has transpired that the situation is a lot worse than initially thought and under request from the US the Eu aid programme reviewed its decision.

Reply 10

Agent Smith

Monaco was unaware of the individual nations responding independently, and apologises for any offence given. We will try to get our facts right next time before making a fool of ourselves.

Reply 11

fr browne

No fool made of you at all, it is right for an orginization of the stature of the EU to give aid to those who need it especially if it wishes to draw closer all nations under its banner.

Reply 12

Carl

France is willing to make available whatever aid is required to the US via the European Union. France also sends its deepest sympathies to those affected by this awful natural phenomena.

Reply 13

Person

The State of Venezuela woud like to extend its heartfelt sympathies to the American people after the devastating Hurricane Katrina and we have a number of rescue teams and vehicles on standby should the US government invite its neighbours to aid the rescue effort.

Reply 14

josh1988uk

Zimbabwe do not feel that it is nessessary to assist the USA until they appear in need - ie actually use their own resources first. Zimbabwe actually proposes that pressure is put on the America government to assist those too poor to escape

Reply 15

fr browne

In fact didnt I see in the paper that Zimbabwe did offer aid to America in the form of towels and balnkets, but that the offer was refused by America?

Reply 16

Agent Smith

Zimbabwe should, Monaco feels, practice what she preaches. Before telling America to assist the poor, Zimbabwe should review her own policies as regards her less fortunate citizens.

However, if it is true that Zimbabwean aid was refused by the US, then this is surely a case of "beggars being choosers". This argument has been laid out elsewhere, so brevity is probably a good thing here.

1. Only a callous dictator would give anything less than the maximum he/she can to help citizens in need.
2. Whatever else he may or may not be, Bush isn't a callous dictator.
3. Therefore, he must already be giving all he has to help the relief work.
4. But there is still a problem.
5. Therefore, American aid alone must be inadequate.
6. Therefore, any outside help that is offered should be accepted, until things are totally cleared up.
7. Therefore, aid from countries Washington doesn't currently like should not be refused, because such a political gesture will potentially cost American lives.

The only real hole in this is an alternative explanation for 5, which is this: all the aid in the world may not have an immediate result. If Bush has given as much as he has got, it may still take time for its effects to start being felt.

Even so, Monaco's opinion is that the relief effort is being hampered by many problems, both with leadership and resources, and that any additional aid is going to be a good thing. Relief efforts have been in motion for long enough now, we feel, for the delayed effect of more slowly-mobilising types of internal aid to come into play; and there is still a need for more.

The US is thus in no position to be choosy, and Monaco calls on Washington to swallow its pride for the sake of the most needy Americans.