peter.reardon on the politics behind humanitarian aid to Haiti: -
In a surprisingly deft political move the Chinese government outflanked the American government by providing the first foreign-aid to Haitian earthquake victims.
American armed forces quickly took control of the airport and its control tower and it might be seen to be somewhat churlish of the Americans if they attempted to restrict the Chinese ‘aid-volunteers’ from providing supplies in its continuing support with its humanitarian work to the earthquake devastated island nation: Co-operation must be seen to be taking place.
While the Chinese authorities are keeping modestly silent in their humanitarian work the American administration is loudly re-writing history, or attempting to do so. Disregarding past attempts by the US to keep the Haitian people in a permanent state of impoverishment.
“What You’re Not Hearing about Haiti (But Should Be)” published in CommonDreams January 14, 2010; Carl Lindskoog wrote about the devastating social and humanitarian pain of earlier, less humanitarian interference in the tiny island country.
It may startle news-hungry Americans to learn that these conditions the American media correctly attributes to magnifying the impact of this tremendous disaster were largely the product of American policies and an American-led development model here
On the other hand China brings other agenda behind the inscrutable smile of benevolence: the desire for land; for agriculture, manufacturing, and dominance of a society already used to domination by American controlled politicians. Haiti would also be compatible with China’s other land purchases in some Latin American countries.
However, there appears to be an irony according to Antoaneta Bezlova writing for Inter Press Service News Agency IPS regarding the nervousness of the US about China’s growing footprint across Africa:
During the bilateral talks held between July 27 and July 29, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner both called upon China to increase cooperation with the US in assisting developing countries. here
Meanwhile, President Obama is his version of history regarding the “long history of friendship” that has existed between the people of Haiti and all people in the United States”. Bill Van Auken throws light on the the historic reality of the presidential fiction:
In his statement on the Haitian earthquake Wednesday, President Barack Obama referred to the “long history that together.” Neither he nor the US media, however, have shown any inclination to probe the history of US-Haiti relations and its bearing on present catastrophe confronting the Haitian people. Read “The history that “binds” the US and Haiti” here
As of this writing I learned that George W. Bush has been recruited by President Obama to assist in the “management”of the Haiti tragedy.
Apparently his skilled leadership in dealing with the hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans four years ago is his domestic experience in ‘swift and decisive action’.
My heart weeps in sympathy for the people still waiting in New Orleans for government intervention for assistance, and to those in Haiti who will undoubtedly have a new cause to add to their current pain and suffering.
With George Bush as one of “two advisers” to President Obama, the other being former president Bill Clinton, the dynamic of Chinese aid delivery sounds like a better option for the people of Haiti. (END)
Tags: China | Earthquake | Bill Clinton | World | Haiti | US | George W. Bush | impoverishment | CommonDreams | humanitarian work | desire for land | impoverished work-force | hurrican Katrina in New Orleans
Tags: Bill Clinton, China, CommonDreams, desire for land, earthquake, George W. Bush, Haiti, humanitarian work, hurrican Katrina in New Orleans, impoverished work-force, impoverishment, US
