Military

January 7, 2005

TSUNAMI: U.S. RELIEF AIMS TO 'COUNTER ANTI-U.S. SENTIMENT' AMONG MUSLIMS

 

KEY FINDINGS

 

**  The "matchless" U.S. effort will have a "longstanding positive impact" on its global image.

**  Dailies praise the Jakarta summit for organizing the "unprecedented flow" of global aid.

**  Scrutiny of global pledges infers it is a "political mistake not to contribute generously."

**  Chinese, leftist writers blast Washington's "hegemonic mentality."

 

MAJOR THEMES

 

Opportunity 'to change America's image'--  Papers agreed the U.S.' "massive humanitarian operations" seek to "regain prestige among Muslims" by presenting a "more positive image" of its military.  A German daily said the "catastrophe offers the U.S. the opportunity to correct its negative image" after the "widely unpopular" Iraq invasion.  Many noted the "political benefits of using military resources for direct relief of suffering" instead of war.  Japan's liberal Asahi stated the U.S.' "sheer logistical superiority" is "highly welcome" regardless of motive; in this "unprecedented tragedy" the "world needs the Americans."

 

Dealing with the 'most severe and unprecedented catastrophe in history'--  Outlets agreed the Jakarta conference succeeded in ensuring "consistent and intensified international assistance," as well enhancing the "coordination and supervision" of relief work.  Britain's center-left Independent termed it a "timely opportunity for the world to translate its good intentions into reality."  Numerous writers hailed Secretary Powell's "fortunate inspiration" to "let the UN direct" relief efforts.  Hong Kong's pro-PRC Wen Wei Po opined that the UN was "appropriate to coordinate" global assistance versus the U.S. plan for an "ad hoc coalition" of aid providers; such "provocative unilateralism" was a "calculated snub to the UN." 

 

'Mean and inadequate'--  Critics slammed the West's "so stingy" donations.  A German writer lamented Europe's "unexpected failure in supplying humanitarian aid" while an Indian outlet assailed the "negligible" U.S. pledge.  But many others contrasted the West's "unprecedented generosity" with the "poor and inexcusable showing made by Muslim countries."  Malaysia's government-influenced Harakah Daily accused Arabs of "not being proactive" in easing the "misery of their fellow Muslims."  Algeria's influential Le Quotidien d'Oran judged the "Western world...superior to us...for its morality."  Other media focused on dangers to "helpless" survivors, such as "human trafficking" and "pedophile exploitation."    

 

'Nothing but a bid to pave the way for future military operations'--  Chinese dailies contended the U.S. military's "leading role in disaster relief" may just provide an "opportunity to interfere in South Asian affairs"; Beijing's official World News Journal warned there is "more involved in the deployment than simply disaster aid."  An Indian writer advised that the U.S. presence needs "to be watched and monitored carefully."  A few papers noted the "rivalry between the U.S. and China"; an Italian daily said the U.S. effort seeks to "regain hegemony...where it has been losing ground to China."  France's right-of-center Le Figaro stressed China's "desire not to let the West and Japan have a free hand."

 

Prepared by Media Reaction Branch (202) 203-7888, rmrmail@state.gov

 

EDITOR:  Ben Goldberg

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Media Reaction reporting conveys the spectrum of foreign press sentiment.  Posts select commentary to provide a representative picture of local editorial opinion.  Some commentary is taken directly from the Internet.  This report summarizes and interprets foreign editorial opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government.  This analysis was based on 139 reports from 39 countries over 31 December 2004 - 7 January 2005.  Editorial excerpts are listed from the most recent date.

 

EUROPE

 

BRITAIN:  "Good Intentions Must Now Be Turned Into Reality"

 

An editorial in the center-left Independent read (1/6):  "The summit should make a rigid distinction between emergency aid and development aid.  Both are needed, but the priority for now is still emergency aid.  Millions of people across the region are desperate for food, water, shelter and medicines....  The international response has so far been impressive, particularly--and perhaps unexpectedly--from the US.  This summit is a timely opportunity for the world to translate its good intentions into reality."

 

"America The Bountiful"

 

An editorial in the conservative Daily Telegraph read (1/5):  "As might be expected of the world's only superpower, America is now at the forefront in delivering emergency aid....  A coalition of the willing that can deliver aid promptly is surely preferable to the cumbersome procedures of the UN....  And if the world body feels cold-shouldered by its most powerful member, it should reflect on its inadequate response to the challenge posed by Saddam Hussein, indeed on allegations that its officials were corrupted by that tyrant through the oil-for-food program.  Mr. Bush is setting out less to undermine the UN than to put America's best foot forward in a region where the invasion of Iraq has been widely unpopular and where, in the case of Indonesia, Islamic terrorists have shown their mettle.  It may seem depressing that a natural catastrophe should so soon become politicized.  But the litmus test should be effectiveness, and there Washington and its allies are proving their worth."

 

FRANCE:  "Apocalypses"

 

Patrick Sabatier wrote in left-of-center Liberation (1/7):  "Public opinion is well aware of the political publicity approach that lies behind the big show in Jakarta....  But the race for pledges is better than the arms race....  The most positive element of the summit was the fact that the U.S. gave up on its idea to rob the UN of its natural role....  But the quantity of money pledged does not guarantee effectiveness....  Aid must be used intelligently, avoiding waste and corruption, two frequent ills found when dealing with disaster and in these regions. Otherwise the apocalypse of the tsunami could be followed by other apocalypses."

 

"China's Other Awakening"

 

Michel Schifres noted in right-of-center Le Figaro (1/7):  "The race to give to the tsunami survivors has also led many nations to clarify their political choices and orientation....  One example is China....  For the first time, in the wake of a worldwide tragedy, China has reacted like any other western nation and acted like any other developed nation, thus revealing its aspiration to become part of the concert of nations....  China, like India, is proving its regional responsibility in the face of the disaster, and its desire not to let the West and Japan have a free hand. Beyond its sincere humanitarian concern, China's political ambition is obvious."

 

"A New World Order"

 

Bruno Frappat noted in Catholic La Croix (1/6):  "For this real war in the name of good, there is no army chief of staff, no 'master of the world'....  In Jakarta, where a conference is attempting to organize the unprecedented flow of generosity, let us try to forget, for a time, ulterior motives, rivalries and competition about the 'communication' strategies which are being elaborated."

 

"Soldiers Of Life"

 

Charles Lambroschini wrote in right-of-center Le Figaro (1/6):  "By helping one of the countries with the largest Muslim population the U.S. is taking advantage of an opportunity to erase its image of enemy of Islam. As opposed to the intervention in Iraq, the GIs are not coming to Asia as conquerors but as saviors....  Sixty years after the Marshall plan, this strategy of generosity responds to the same motivations. George Bush's decision to multiply by ten America's aid is devoid of any ambiguity....  The U.S. soldiers landing in Asia have here no reason to use their weapons....  Whereas in Vietnam the Americans were unable to conquer the 'hearts and minds,' there is in Asia no possibility for confusion. As Clausewitz once said, a natural disaster can also lead to doing politics differently."

 

"Competition"

 

Gerard Dupuy held in left-of-center Liberation (1/6):  "In Asia, the U.S. is finding an unhoped for and respectable new way to use its war machine, just when its superiority is producing the worst possible political results in Iraq. But those who criticize Washington's ulterior motives have similar intentions."

 

"Making Proper Use Of A Disaster"

 

Jacques Amalric maintained in left-of-center Liberation (1/6):  "When President Bush became aware that the tsunami disaster could help Washington project a more positive image of the U.S. Army to the world than the one coming from Iraq, he turned the 15 million dollars into 350....  Nothing as yet proves that the disaster in South Asia will allow Washington to project the image of the 'empire of good' and to erase the Iraqi fiasco....  But there are many reasons why we must put on hold all our indecent rivalries and confirm the UN in its role as sole coordinator for the emergency relief effort and for the reconstruction and development needs that will continue for years."

 

GERMANY:  "Race Of Sympathizers"

 

Stefan Kornelius held in center-left Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (1/7):  "The U.S. boastfully led the aid group before U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell found the fortunate inspiration in Jakarta to put his country's service under the umbrella of the UN.  At least, Powell was honest enough about the purpose of the American government's relief efforts.  Of course, the U.S. military is on an image campaign by handing out water bottles and bags of rice to Muslim people.  President Bush, formerly snubbed because of his stinginess, corrected the error and secured further influence."

 

"Wave Of Help"

 

Center-right Frankfurter Allgemeine editorialized (1/7):  "The massive presence of foreign troops and aid organizations in the region also poses dangers.  Due to the lack of adequate partners in the affected countries, they will have to take many things into their own hands.  But their sheer logistical superiority will push aside any self-initiatives. It would not be the first time that western support destroys existing structures and creates dependencies."

 

"The World Is A Region"

 

Centrist Der Tagesspiegel of Berlin observed (1/7):  "The Jakarta summit's decision to establish an early warning system reflects a new feeling of responsibility.  This is unprecedented in this politically heterogeneous region.  Hopefully, there will be more of it soon.   For instance, Sri Lanka's government forbid rebuilding houses close to the sea.  This would have saved many lives.  Both examples show that the catastrophe is not a global one that needs a global response, as UN General-Secretary said in Jakarta.  First of all, it is a regional catastrophe that needs a sustained regional response.  The division of labor should be that donations are collected across the world and changes are made in the region."

 

"New Unity"

 

Dietmar Ostermann asserted in left-of-center Frankfurter Rundschau (1/7):  "Neither Washington nor European capitals will disregard their national interests, but Colin Powell's confession that he has never seen something like the destruction in Sumatra is more than an individual shock.  The Secretary of State is shaking the American mythos that nothing can be as bad as the attacks on September 11.  Since then, this mythos was the foundation of U.S. foreign policy.  The U.S. military presence in the Indian Ocean must not necessarily mean an end of this shortsighted period, but President Bush has assembled more U.S. troops for the humanitarian mission than there are in Afghanistan looking for bin Laden.  A short time ago, the U.S. president just wanted to talk about terrorism at international summits.  In future, there might be other issues on the agenda as well." 

       

"Ulterior Motives"

 

Eric Bonse contended in business-oriented Handelsblatt of Duesseldorf (1/7):  "The world is not as bad as it looks.  Just non-governmental organizations headed there when the tsunami hit, but neither U.S. President Bush saw any reason to cancel his Christmas vacation at his Crawford ranch nor was the European Union's reaction appropriate....  Two weeks later the picture has completely changed.  The U.S. clearly nails its colors in the region by launching the largest U.S. military mission since the Vietnam War and the EU vowing more and more help....  Never before has the international community replied so intensively to a natural disaster.  Never before have private people and companies donated so much money....  But we should not deceive ourselves.  Helpers do not just have noble motives, but also pursue economic and political interests.  If the tsunamis had hit a different region, one which is touristically, economically and strategically less interesting, Americans and Europeans would have been less committed.  There is little western help to be seen in Somalia, which was also hit by the tsunamis.  And there is no longer any talk about Iran, which was devastated by a quake a year ago....  The catastrophe offers the U.S. the opportunity to correct it negative image, and Europeans can sharpen their profile in the region.  It looked like the U.S. was ahead in the race, because it was the first force present in the region and coordinated the relief efforts.  But things have now changed.   The EU leads the donor list and the U.S. dissolved its core group, while the UN is scheduled to take the lead, as the EU demanded.  But this could turn out as a Pyrrhic victory.  The U.S. government takes every chance to weaken the UN.  If the UN were to overextend its power in Asia, it could have a disastrous effect for the organization."

 

"Little Respect For Europe"

 

Jochen Buchsteiner commented in center-right Frankfurter Allgemeine (1/6):  "Europe's performance at the moment is not very persuasive.  There is no lack of expressing sympathy; it is reflected in the citizen's willingness to make donations and the government's generous pledges.   But those have barely helped the terribly suffering victims and survivors living along Asia's coastlines.  The first foreign aid they saw came from Australia, India and, above all, America.  Of course, this also has to do with the distance and capacities.  Hercules planes taking off in Singapore reach Sumatra faster than those coming from Europe.  The governments and military headquarters in the region are also better connected than with their distant European partners.   However, these arguments are loosing ground ten days after the catastrophe....  Europe shows weak spots in an area where it always felt superior to America.  The unexpected failure in supplying humanitarian aid raises questions about Europe's political identity....  Europe lacks the power, presence and resources to make a logistical contribution to the world's greatest international rescue mission.   Not the nice guys provide effective help, but the strongest.   The go-ahead was not given in Brussels or Berlin but in Washington.  President Bush announced that America, India, Japan and Australia make the core group--Europe was missing.  A short time later, six thousand U.S. Marines reached Aceh....  The moaning at the UN, which felt pushed aside in its traditional role as coordinator of humanitarian missions, did not last long.  Kofi Annan's right hand, the Norwegian Jan Egeland, was full of praise for Americans in recent days.  Without their military logistics, no quick help would have been possible....  This will not be Europe's last experience of an insidious decline in importance."

 

"Enough Collected"

 

Business-oriented Financial Times Deutschland of Hamburg editorialized (1/6):  "The UN donor conference scheduled to take place in Geneva next week will not have a complete report about the damages and will not be able to assess whether the currently collected money is sufficient.  But it can set the decisive course.  The conference must make sure that the coordination for the immediate and the reconstruction aid in the most affected countries will be under one command.  This should be the organization most experienced with such matter--the UN." 

 

"Foreign Money"

 

Carl Graf Hohenthal asserted in right-of-center Die Welt of Berlin (1/6):  "It is right that the German government upped its formerly modest aid, but the current numbers imply a selfish competition between donors.  The enormous private fundraiser of 200 million euros is absolutely impressive.  Given this private aid, one must ask the question whether the state should not be more restraint.  Recent statements about megalomania and fraud are not so wrong, because the [German] government spends money it does not have, unlike private donors."

 

"World's Apart"

 

Stephan-Andreas Casdorff observed in centrist Der Tagesspiegel of Berlin (1/6):  "Germany is now leading the list of donors, and is even in front of the U.S.  There is a message for many sides.  At home, people are told that the state matches private efforts.  People abroad are told that Germans are reconstruction champions and because Germans know what global solidarity means they know what they must do now.  The third message goes to the great powers in international politics, the U.S. in particular:  'See what we, who you once offered a partnership in leadership, are able to achieve.' Germans, the people and the state, are behaving appropriately.  Bill Clinton had the idea that countries should form groups to help regions in Asia.  Schroeder now had the idea that towns should help towns and villages should help villages.  Things will come together and lead to something visible.  This is the way somebody, who wants to become a permanent UNSC member, can win respect."

 

"Impressive"

 

Siegfried Buschschlueter said on national radio station Deutschlandfunk of Cologne (1/5):  "What the U.S. has been pulling off with their military resources in the tsunami disaster is impressive.  The pictures speak volumes.  When an armada is mobilized to provide aid, dozens of U.S. helicopters are in action for humanitarian purposes, and GIs help people in need, it can bury the pictures of daily violence in Iraq.   That is a true opportunity to change America's image in the Muslim world--but it will only happen if the immediate aid will turn into long-term engagement."

 

"Make Peace A Priority"

 

Wolfgang Labuhn contended on national radio station DeutschlandRadio of Berlin (1/5):  "The UN and EU, Washington and Tokyo would be well-advised to take the opportunity of the tremendous catastrophe in South Asia and make peace negotiations a condition for their humanitarian aid vows.  The poor country of Sri Lanka affords an army of 150,000 troops and the forces of the Indonesian oil producer are larger than the German army.  Their soldiers and military logistics could make themselves very useful in the reconstruction efforts if they no longer had to fight rebels."

 

"Phoenix From The Waves"

 

Wolfgang Koydl commented in center-left Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (1/5):  "The world has painted a picture of U.S. soldiers in recent years that cannot be called complimentary.  Pictures taken in Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo, in Khandahar and Fallujah define this image....  In recent days, the world has seen different pictures.  They show American soldiers distributing water bottles, transporting aid goods and rescuing victims....  There is a link between these pictures:  the Asian tsunamis are supposed to wash away the memory of the Iraqi dirt.  Indeed, the tsunamis in the Indian Ocean offer the U.S. an opportunity to improve its image....  After having kept silent for an embarrassingly long time, George Bush jr. is now doing everything to make up for the time lost....  More important than the money is the symbolism....  Bush makes clear beyond all political divisions in his country that America is united to help the poorest in the world....  Generosity must not be misunderstood as sentimentality.  Bush has made clear in recent days that he understands America's support as a welcome means to boost his foreign policy agenda.  This includes continuing discrediting the UN....  It is significant that Bush is forging a coalition of the willing to coordinate aid measures, similarly to the military alliance in Iraq: India, Japan and Australia were previously supposed to coordinate the relief efforts.  Only later and reluctantly, Washington welcomed the UN on board....  It is still unclear who will do this faster and better.  The goal is more difficult for the U.S., which is not always America's fault.  In the Indonesian province of Aceh, Muslim organizations rejected the idea of female helpers as long as they do not wear Muslim scarves.  No quake seems to be strong enough to tear down the foundations of hatred and prejudices."

 

"Solidarity"

 

Pierre Simonitsch observed in left-of-center Frankfurter Rundschau (1/5):  "Never before have people in the world shown so much solidarity like for the victims of the quake in the Indian Ocean.  The U.S. government knows how to benefit from the circumstance and does not put too much burden on the already deficit-strained budget.  Together with the former presidents Clinton and Bush sr., George Bush jr. has now called upon people to make donations.  Compassion is a private matter in the U.S.   It is not yet clear how Washington plans to spend the money.  At the beginning of the New Year, Bush said the U.S., Japan and Australia would start an operation independent from the UN.  This caused some annoyance at the UN, as it recalled the scenario of the coalition of the willing, through which the U.S. waged war in Iraq.  Was this latest move meant to exclude international humanitarian organizations?  There is no clear answer to this question yet, but such an attitude of the current U.S. administration is conceivable.  The relations between the U.S. and the UN are at an absolute low."

 

"Pictures Matter"

 

Right-of-center Fraenkischer Tag of Bamberg asserted (1/5):  "Aid organizations and the UN already see the limits of their capacities.  They fail to get urgently required aid to the places where it is needed most.  This has many reasons; for instance, logistical problems occur when the crises region lacks the infrastructure.  But other reasons are also a lack of coordination or even the misery of corruption in state apparatuses of the countries affected.  There is also the danger that the help turns into mere activity for the cameras of this world.  As we know, only the issues of which pictures exist matter." 

 

"Coalition For Reconstruction"

 

Right-of-center Wetzler Neue Zeitung editorialized (1/5):  "Even in the hour of greatest need, U.S. President Bush acts coolly and rationally.  Given the Asian tragedy, he tries to turn the frail coalition of the willing forged for the war in Iraq into a coalition of countries willing to boost reconstruction.  Neither Europe nor the United Nations are part of this plan.  Europeans are now given the opportunity to be the better reconstruction helpers in the crises region.  Not just the amount of the money pledged will be important, but also the quality of relief efforts."

 

"Strategic Interests"

 

Centrist Badische Zeitung of Freiburg noted (1/5):  "Apart from the humanitarian aid, the Bush administration is certainly pursuing a strategic interest as well.  It will woo Indonesia's Muslims, who see George Bush's war on terror as an excessive retaliation for September 11.   This will work as long as it will not turn into a PR campaign.  Washington's new interest in Indonesia might even lead to Washington discovering the effectiveness of civil aid in the fight against terrorism.  This would not be the tsunamis' worst side effect."

 

ITALY:  "Bush Sends The Right Signals"

 

Mario Platero remarked in leading business-oriented Il Sole 24 Ore (1/7):  "Yesterday, both Colin Powell and Kofi Annan minimized the story: the independent group organized by the U.S. only had an initial catalytic role, and the natural outcome for the management of the relief funds for the Asian disaster is the UN. Some days earlier comments sounded much more ambiguous...thus raising a polemic about White House provocative unilateralism....  Thank God now we can reason about the best way to help...and, for the first time, we will see American aircraft carriers carrying out peace missions."

 

"Bush's Step Back"

 

Aldo Rizzo stated in centrist, influential La Stampa (1/7):  "In the first days after the disaster, the behavior of the American superpower was typical: after an initial hesitation as if it did not realize how huge the tragedy was, the U.S. asked to lead humanitarian operations, ignoring the UN and suggesting an ad-hoc coalition of states. Very clearly, its desire was to show the poor world, especially the Islamic one, another image of America. A totally positive one, as opposed to the one of the war in Iraq....  But Secretary Powell in Jakarta announced the superpower's step back....  Let's wait and see, possibly also beyond the tragedy in the Indian Ocean, if we really have a move towards the end or the lessening of 'unilateralism,' provided that the UN...is able to grasp this dramatic and crucial opportunity to obtain new impetus."

 

"The Chessboard Of Assistance"

 

Federico Rampini opined in left-leaning, influential La Repubblica (1/7):  "'Competitive charity:' this is how Jan Egeland, of the UN, defined the Jakarta summit....  Indeed, people's immense emotion about the tragedy, and the high number of Western victims, pushed each and every government to move. But the emotions will fade away, and at the Jakarta summit everyone is thinking about the 'day after.' America is determined to use its humanitarian aid to regain hegemony in an area were it has been losing ground to China. Two loyal allies, Japan and Australia, support Bush with a significant financial effort. China reacts, and for the first time in its history, steps into a humanitarian operation abroad...even India has a power-like approach and even if it is a country struck by the tsunami, it is using the leverage of assistance towards less rich neighboring countries. On such a chessboard, Indonesia plays a key role....  It was just a miracle that it was able to convince the Americans to let the UN direct the operations. The UN Secretary-General invited donors to make good on pledges....  Indeed, he was talking from experience."

 

"God Save America"

 

Massimo Teodori maintained in pro-government, leading center-right Il Giornale (1/5):  "America keeps on astonishing us and making us admire it. Once again, faced with the epochal disaster of the tsunami, the U.S. showed us its genius, which is based on three main pillars: organization, idealism and interest. This is the reason why the world needs the Americans, and the Americans cannot but be anchored to the international system."

 

"The Two Faces Of Europe"

 

Bernardo Valli opined in left-leaning, influential La Repubblica (1/5):  "America acts. Europe doubts. America is a sort of prisoner of a dream, the dream of its power, that is real...and thinks it will last forever. Therefore, it acts. On the contrary, Europe wonders, fancies its unity but is anchored to the old national vanities, looks at the mirror and asks itself 'am I or am I not'....  Unanimously, Europe showed its generosity...but in terms of launching a common action, the European capitals minded their own businesses....  America is already in place with its 'Abraham Lincoln' aircraft carrier. Well, we know that in every corner in the world there is an American base. Its ships and planes get to any place fast. But in this case...we should simply acknowledge that on this occasion of world emergency, after some initial hesitation, and after overcoming the irresistible temptation to supplant the UN as main coordinator, Americans have been able to offer a united front.  Republican George W. Bush presented himself as the great provider of relief, having at his side his Democratic predecessor Bill Clinton. The two faces of America stay together. The one is hypnotized by the imperial mission, and the secular one, which is however fully aware of its responsibilities as superpower."

 

"The UN False Moves"

 

Gianni Riotta said in centrist, top-circulation Corriere della Sera (1/5):  "The tsunami...also hit the precarious balance established after the war on Iraq. While the UN Secretary General thinks about the future, President George W. Bush calls on his predecessors...to galvanize relief efforts....  Tomorrow in Jakarta, Chinese, Japanese, American and EU leaders will meet. But Bush was the quickest one to seize the occasion to contrast the rancor following the attack on Saddam Hussein. 350 million dollars. The US Army ready to build bridges and feed children, charity organizations called upon and mobilizing with generosity. This will be the backdrop for President Bush's inaugural celebration of his second term. The icon of the Fighter will be tempered by the one of the Samaritan....  And the UN loses its front-row seat in the effort to save million of starving, sick and injured children....  Indeed, also for the Europeans, the alarm bell is ringing: the EU must learn to react to calamities with a unitary task force, not only with national contributions."

 

AUSTRIA:  "The World Is Indivisible--Hopefully For Longer"

 

Reinhard Goeweil maintained in mass-circulation Kurier (1/7):  "The case of the tsunami catastrophe will show how serious the richer countries really are about enhancing prosperity in the poorer regions of the world. This has been a standard goal formulated during international conferences; however, little has happened so far. The real test will come when the flood catastrophe begins to disappear from the international media over the coming weeks....  The world is indivisible. If this lofty statement is going to have long-term validity, the rich countries will have to sit down after the tsunami catastrophe and fight in a similarly impressive way against starvation in Africa, the AIDS threat, pointless civil wars in countries that are poor anyway. Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown mentioned such a comprehensive Marshall Plan. Germany's Chancellor Schroeder said that 'our world is indivisible.' How much of that will remain lip service, only the future will show. Perhaps this statement will be valid only as long as dead European tourists and crying Asian children on the coasts of Asia remain in our memories. But perhaps so much money will be collected until then that assistance can be given even beyond that time."

 

"Disaster Offers A Chance"

 

Christoph Prantner commented in independent Der Standard (1/7):  "Even if the final document in Djakarta did not officially affirm the leading role of the UN in the tsunami catastrophe, the organization has been granted more flexibility than in many other global crises. Why? Secretary General Kofi Annan has obviously bent to Washington's wishes in his latest personnel decisions. The U.S., on the other hand, has every interest in demonstrating it does not act against every Muslim country (aid for Indonesia), that it does not principally ignore the UN (Iraq) and that it does not subject its assistance in catastrophe cases to unilateralist power fantasies. Accordingly, outgoing U.S Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke without being pressured of the leading role of the UN. The Tsunami region seems to represent a kind of neutral territory for world politics, where national strategic intentions play a certain role, but do not harm the higher interest of the international community--for the time being at least. Thus, the disaster offers a chance for the UN. If it fails to make use of this chance, a political catastrophe in New York is to be expected."

 

"To-Do List After The Mourning"

 

Senior editor Christoph Kotanko opined in mass-circulation Kurier (1/7):  "Internationally, there is much talk of strengthened development assistance cooperation. Canceling the debts of those countries that are most seriously affected by the tsunami catastrophe is something the industrialized nations could certainly manage. After such a Donor's Conference the spectrum of cooperation could be expanded, for instance through supporting the establishment of early warning systems, catastrophe prevention, earthquake-proof buildings and infrastructure projects. This, however, also requires a reorientation on the part of the governments in the region....  New, improved development cooperation should bind the regional potentates to a greater degree. It should be more political and take into consideration the divided societies where a minority is unbelievably wealthy and the majority of the population lives in abject poverty. More help is needed--not just in South East Asia after the tsunami. The people in Africa are suffering just the same--even if they hardly ever make the headlines. South of the Sahara, masses of people are dying every day--in Congo alone the civil war has been responsible for up to five million deaths over the past few years. Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone--they are all death zones. They must not be forgotten in the new global order for development aid."

 

"Humanitarian World Domination"

 

Foreign editor Christian Ultsch commented in centrist Die Presse (1/5):  "No matter how much good Americans do, they will always be accused of acting in bad faith. Everything that does not fit the anti-American worldview simply can't be....  Anti-American thinking is always in vogue, even in the face of a natural disaster like in Asia. It follows a single, simple rule: The U.S. has to be criticized at all costs, no matter what Washington does. Of course, the current U.S. disaster aid measures have a political dimension. It would be naïve to deny that. There is no purely humanitarian intervention. Political considerations play a role in any nation's decision. Still, we have to keep things in perspective and remain fair. It would be absurd to imply that the US relief mission in Asia's prime objective is anything other than helping the people there. On the other hand, the skeptical reactions show how much goodwill the Americans have gambled away over time."

 

BELGIUM:  "Tsunami Disaster"

 

Paul Geudens observed in conservative Christian-Democrat Gazet van Antwerpen (1/7):  "Just twelve days after the horrible disaster in Southeast Asia leaders of the richest countries came together in the ravaged region to open their wallets--and already there is a lot of very negative criticism like 'macabre competition, pure self-interest, an attempt to improve one's image, non-binding promises, etc.'  Of course, as usual it is mainly the Americans who are criticized.  First, the U.S. wants to score good points in the Muslim world.  By launching major aid operations in ravaged countries that are predominantly Muslim the U.S. wants to improve its bad reputation caused by the war in Iraq.  The Americans want to build goodwill in the Arab world.  Actually, some say indirectly, the victims in Indonesia and Sri Lanka are abused for strategic and political goals.  However, imagine that the Americans did not go to the ravaged region with money, people, helicopters and ships.  One would hear a lot of criticism.  To be honest, one must admit that the Americans are usually the first to be on the spot when large-scale aid operations are needed, no matter how wrong they may be in Iraq.  Second, the U.S. prefers to act unilaterally.  It ignores the UN and Europe.  That is true.  Bush is not the most collegial world leader.  However, he has a very good excuse to leave both the UN and the EU on the sidelines.  In the past, both institutions did not stand out with decisiveness and willingness to act.  Think about the civil wars in the Balkans or Rwanda where the genocide claimed four times more lives than the December 26 tragedy in Asia.  Where were the UN at that moment?  Where was the EU?  Where are they today in Darfur?....  There is a competition going on between the U.S., Japan, Australia and Europe which is not inspired by love for their fellow men only.  However, that should not make us forget the key issue: enormous amounts of money, means and people are needed to alleviate the most urgent needs.  At this moment, the victims of the disaster don't need political, economic or financial games and analysis.  From that point of view, last Thursday's donor conference was a success.  Large-scale and worldwide solidarity emerged--with or without a hidden agenda."

 

"Taking The Lead"

 

Foreign editor Paul De Bruyn wrote in conservative Christian-Democrat Gazet van Antwerpen (1/5):  "No one can deny it: the Americans are taking the lead in the aid operations.  President Bush has dispatched aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (to the area) and Marine helicopters are airlifting aid to Sumatra.  Former Presidents George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton will raise funds.  Washington is also thinking about (the creation of) a Marshall plan for Southeast Asia.  Of course, part of all this is inspired by political opportunism.  Washington knows very well how bad Bush's image is abroad.  The war in Iraq has damaged America's image very much.  Consequently, it is very important to try to improve that image of evil empire.  By presenting themselves as providers of aid the Americans hope to create a lot of goodwill.  But, their reasoning is not based on opportunism only.  The desire to be a 'force for good' and a superpower that helps the world lies in their nature.  Bush, too, wants that.  The fact that he has increased development aid is often absent in criticism on him.  What Bush is doing now is part of the American tradition."

 

IRELAND:  "Keeping Aid A Priority"

 

The center-left Irish Times declared (1/7):  "A good day's work was done in Jakarta yesterday when an emergency summit pledged immediate and long-term aid to victims of the Indian Ocean disaster....  Now that overall responsibility for providing relief has been agreed between the UN, the countries directly involved and regional and world powers, a highly demanding challenge to ensure it is delivered upon is posed....  This is a vital issue. Otherwise resources will be displaced from one world region needing these funds to the Indian Ocean disaster....  African countries are much more vulnerable economically than the Asian states involved....  In fact the economic impact of the disaster is small for Indonesia and India, though more severe for Thailand's tourism and Sri Lanka's fisheries. There is good reason to hope that the outpouring of sympathy and human solidarity can be channeled constructively towards more long-term disaster relief and developmental goals if public pressure is kept up and political leadership provided. The striking images of suffering and devastation from Aceh and Sri Lanka create a demand for logistical and military facilities best met by organizing them on a standing basis, not an ad-hoc one. This would have to be organized as a partnership between the UN and its member-states. World powers are learning the political benefits of using military resources for direct relief of suffering, rather than war-making, through this crisis, as well as harnessing the assets of charitable and developmental agencies. Debt relief for those affected has also a vital, if nuanced, role to play in relating disaster relief to developmental goals. The crisis has put this issue squarely on the international agenda. It must now be kept there."

 

"Jakarta Summit:  Newfound Cooperation Very Positive"

 

The left-of-center Irish Examiner editorialized (1/7):  "Yesterday's overdue decision to establish a tsunami early-warning system in the Indian Ocean...is welcome....  A more immediate challenge facing the meeting in Jakarta...is to streamline the distribution of aid in the aftermath of one of the greatest calamities in human history. The first priority should be to freeze or erase repayments of debts owed by devastated countries to the rich nations of the western world. Significantly, the welcome spirit of co-operation at the conference follows the U.S decision to scrap a separate relief group it had proposed.  In the maelstrom of a global emergency, it seems the White House has awoken to the inherent danger of trying to advance its hegemonic ambitions....  Hopefully, this newfound co-operation between the UN and America marks a first step, however tentative, towards the creation of an international rapid response group capable of bringing aid to communities caught up in future disasters."

 

"Aid Effort--Promises Need To Be Acted On"

 

The left-of-center Irish Examiner opined (1/6):  "US Secretary of the State Colin Powell was particularly moving in his expression of horror at the scenes of devastation....  He said he never saw anything comparable to them even in wartime and he pledged that the US will provide even more aid....  Posturing about whether the US, UN or EU can organize the most effective aid need not concern us, so long as they provide the promised aid without further delay. Competition in proving their effectiveness could be healthy in this instance; they can argue about who did it best later.  Suggestions have been made about canceling the foreign debts of those countries worst hit by the tsunami...but it will do little or nothing to help with the immediate problems of the people.  What they need now is the help and assistance that money can buy. There is particular urgency in view of the danger of the outbreak of a disease that could lead to even greater loss of life.  There is also the danger of orphaned children being exploited. Thailand is blighted by paedophile exploitation....  What victims need most is immediate aid to be delivered to the devastated areas. This requires that kind of logistic support that armies supply best. Foreign, development aid and health ministers from the 25 EU states will meet in Brussels tomorrow to ensure the proper co-ordination of EU efforts.  The three-minute silence observed throughout the EU yesterday may have provided time for reflection on the disaster, and may even help to solidify pressure on the national governments to provide, not just money but also the necessary logistic support. The silence will have been utterly meaningless, however, if it is not followed up with practical assistance."

 

"A Challenge For The World"

 

The center-left Irish Times editorialized (1/5):  "A conference tomorrow in Indonesia will consider how best to coordinate rescue and relief activities and plan ahead. Experience shows these efforts often fail at this level. Aid all too frequently does not reach those who need it most. Public and private, national and international approaches must be combined in this work. There is a genuine opportunity to turn the crisis to long term advantage for the benefit of humanity as a whole....  The best umbrella organization to co-ordinate these tasks remains the UN, despite its imperfections. Improving its capacity to respond rapidly to natural and human disasters will ensure they are more effectively dealt with in future. Recent changes in UN policy have made it more ready to work with regional organizations such as the EU and ad hoc groups such as the one initiated by the United States, Indonesia, India and Japan in the Indian Ocean relief effort. Such coalitions are welcome, but should not become, for political reasons, the focus of competition arising from suspicions best resolved elsewhere, such as that between the Bush administration and the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan. The US has announced an ambitious aid program for the region with a high profile leadership. It has much to gain from what will be its largest deployment in south Asia since the Vietnam war, notably by improving its profile in the world's most numerous Muslim nation, which has been badly affected by Iraq and Middle East policies. An unseemly row over delivering the relief would undermine such goodwill. Indonesia and India themselves have large armed forces which should be able to do much of the work required. Indonesians have nevertheless welcomed US naval vessels and helicopters, since only the best equipped forces have such facilities readily available. Indonesia and the Sri Lankan rebel provinces have been most affected by the disaster. Relieving them is a crucial test of humanitarian effectiveness in this crisis."

 

"And There Is Still Hope"

 

The center-right populist Irish Independent declared (1/5):  "But the scope of any single aid organization is necessarily limited. And there is, inevitably, a risk of duplication. The humanitarian effort must be coordinated.  In that work, one organization, the UN, has always been pre-eminent.  The UN has been going through a bad period, buffeted on one side by allegations of corruption, on the other by the cavalier attitude of the U.S., the world's only remaining superpower. Whether it can do the present job effectively depends in large part on U.S. co-operation or otherwise. So far the signs are propitious. The Bush administration has vastly increased the funds and personnel committed, and the American establishment more generally wants to answer what Bill Clinton calls the 'bum rap' of U.S. parsimony.  But bigger tests will come: a reconstruction program far more expensive than the immediate disaster relief, and such guidance as may be possible for moves towards peace for several troubled countries in the region.  Gordon Brown suggests a debt moratorium. That should not be at the expense of countries already suffering from man-made catastrophes. Rather it should form part of a thrust, moved by a new spirit, in favor of the vulnerable. To create the spirit, and carry on the thrust, the UN will be more necessary than ever."

 

"U.S. Realizes Late That Aid To Muslims Enhances Its Image"

 

Conor O'Clery commented in the center-left Irish Times (1/5):  "The U.S. response to the tsunami disaster is of strategic importance. The surprising thing is that the Bush administration did not see right from the start the public relations benefits of pictures of American helicopter crews distributing fresh water to Muslims in Indonesia rather than firing bullets at insurgents in Iraq. But it was unquestionably tardy in its initial response....  Bush had remained secluded in his ranch in Crawford, Texas, in contrast to the instantaneous response of many world leaders to the September 11th attacks....  By not speaking out he was missing an opportunity to show goodwill at a time of worldwide opposition to his policies in Iraq....  French anger probably reflected suspicions abroad about Mr. Bush's motive in initially announcing a coalition of the US, India, Japan and Australia to lead the aid effort in the Indian Ocean. This was seen by some as a calculated snub to the UN, whose Secretary General Kofi Annan has fallen out of favor in Washington. It also did not go down well with U.S. allies....  Facing suspicions of political opportunism, the Bush administration conceded that the group should work with the UN, and Colin Powell was instructed to attend today's Jakarta aid summit proposed by EU development commissioner Louis Michael and presided over by Kofi Annan."

 

LUXEMBOURG:  "Absurd Debate"

 

Foreign affairs editor Paul Katow commented in conservative Luxemburger Wort (1/6):  "Some say that the U.S. is offering humanitarian relief in Indonesia, the country with the most Muslim inhabitants in the region, 'only' to enhance their public image in the Muslim world....  The fact is that a person in need does not care about the motivations of the rescuer--as long as the latter provides the necessary help.  The debate over whether or not the Americans 'only' want to improve their damaged image in the world during and after the Iraq war, is therefore absurd."

 

"Global Village"

 

Editor-in-chief Jaques Hillon wrote in left-of-center Le Jeudi (1/6):  "And let's not forget the U.S., which is taking the opportunity to regain prestige among Muslims.  The list of diverse selfish interests is too long to complete here.  But it would be a pity to allow calculated self-interest to call in to question the undeniable spirit of solidarity which has not stopped growing since that sad December 26.  Better to profit from that spirit to put in place concrete policies, such as international emergency medical assistance and long-term foreign aid policies to intervene everywhere in the world where there is pain, from Darfur to the AIDS scourge, just as deadly as a tsunami."

 

NORWAY:  "A Race In Time"

 

Independent VG commented (1/7):  "The emergency aid after the tsunami catastrophe in Asia is developing to be a race in time....  That's why it is so important that the large donor countries, led by the U.S., now agree to coordinate further aid work under the UN umbrella....  Many feared that the deep U.S. skepticism against the UN and the work of the organization would make it difficult--if not to say impossible--to achieve an effective coordination. But the U.S. authorities have hopefully realized that political ill-will and rivalry in the emergency aid operations would hinder the operations....  We are facing an extraordinary catastrophe, and therefore the world must react like never before."

 

"Helping People Help Themselves"

 

Independent business-oriented Dagens Naeringsliv opined (1/6):  "U.S. authorities have long realized that their curve of popularity has gone down considerably over the past few years, but they have found a way to turn it around....  According to Powell himself, what the U.S. is now doing in the Muslim world will also assure that others see what the U.S. values and what U.S. generosity means....  The means the U.S. puts at use are strong. Military personnel, planes, helicopters, bulldozers and aircraft carriers are effective tools also in this type of peace operation. When the U.S. wants to, no one shall doubt that the country has enough powers....  Could it be that Powell's successor as Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, will have it as her task to rebuild the U.S. image in the world? That Powell is now preparing the base? It doesn't sound very likely, but when the need is so openly confessed, it is not impossible. Even though Rice is known as a tough 'hawk,' she might also have other sides."

 

"The Worst Enemy Of Distress"

 

Independent Dagbladet commented (1/6):  "The flooding catastrophe in South East Asia has opened hearts and wallets globally....  The test of our kindness is if it will last, also after the journalist teams have gone home and the attention is directed elsewhere....  With a certain right we can say that the worst enemy of distress is distress. Immediately after a catastrophe happens, we lose the previous one from sight. Proximity in time, the logic of the media and human nature are the reasons behind this. That doesn't excuse national politicians and international organizations that rush from catastrophe to catastrophe. They have received their positions to channel help, keep their promises and think long-term."

 

ROMANIA:  "Nightmare"

 

Razvan Voncu observed in conservative Cronica Romana (1/5):  "After the nightmare faced by the citizens of several Asian countries, due to the earthquake in the depths of the Indian Ocean that triggered unprecedented tsunamis, there are no words to be said.  The tragedy left 150,000 dead, hundreds of thousands wounded, millions homeless, and economies that will need at least a decade to recover....  Beyond the natural causes of this catastrophe, there are other causes which amplified, even maximized, the material damages and the loss of human lives....  (One of them) is greed.  There is no money to protect people against the rough dangers of nature, but there are sufficient funds to create, in one of the poorest regions in the world, real artificial 'paradises' for tourists, for the relaxation of rich people from the richest regions of the planet....  In short: much money is spent on 'entertainment' exclusively destined for the extremely rich, and nothing to make the life of ordinary citizens safer and more tranquil.  This is the present balance of life on the planet and the result of half a century of a colonial-style global economy, in which rich states have become richer and poor states have become poorer.  So, who went crazy--nature or humanity?" 

 

TURKEY:  "Tsunami Politics"

 

Sami Kohen observed in mass-appeal Milliyet (1/6):  "Despite the ongoing extraordinary efforts of the international community to help the tsunami victims, there are some developments that have shown a certain lack of sensitivity.  Saudi Arabia, despite its annual oil revenues of 80 billion dollars, has pledged just 10 million dollars in assistance.  The UAE is contributing only 2 million dollars.  It is really hard to understand why these countries are so stingy, especially when the disaster area includes Indonesia, a country with the largest Muslim population in the world.  On the other hand, those who are assisting are not acting very graciously either.  In some cases, political or economic motives have prevailed over humanitarian factors....  The U.S. and some other Western countries have started to compete with each other to lead the relief program.  Their efforts are being adjusted in order to create a positive image in the region and to increase their political influence.  The U.S., for instance, has already launched a public relations campaign by sending aircraft carriers, helicopters, and relief teams to the region.  Secretary Powell has added a political component to the relief effort by saying that the tsunami relief is an indication of American generosity toward the Islamic world....  The relief effort should be conducted through international organizations, particularly the UN.  There is an urgent need to establish a rapid relief fund and a coordination mechanism within the UN."

 

"The Tsunami Is More Photogenic Than Fallujah"

 

Meral Tamer wrote in mass-appeal Milliyet (1/5):  "In recent days there has been a rush for TV ratings in coverage of the tsunami.  Television around the world continues to show the same images--the bloated bodies....  If someone is looking for swollen bodies, we have more than we could possibly want in Fallujah....  But Fallujah isn't as photogenic as South Asia....  And what can we say about the assistance comedy?....  After pressure from the UN and international aid organizations, the Bush Administration announced that it would raise its assistance....  Then the braintrust of the Bush administration got a bright idea....  The U.S. now thinks that, thanks to the tsunami, it may be able to repair the negative and shocking images it has created for itself in Iraq....  The U.S...by leaving the UN out, could perhaps...regain some of its lost prestige.  So the Bush Administration started throwing money around....  In coming days, I won't be surprised to see on my television screen the image of tender-hearted American soldiers lowering assistance packages to victims.  Be prepared for TV images of US soldiers springing out of the American naval fleet to bandage the wounded and give milk to little babies....  Images are everything!  Looking at it from the humanitarian perspective, in this kind of universal disaster that calls for a blank check for unlimited assistance, the duplicity of the 'civilized' human being has come out immediately."

 

MIDDLE EAST

 

EGYPT:  "What About The Oppressed People Of Iraq And Palestine?"

 

Pro-government aggressive Al-Akhbar opined (1/7):  "PM Tony Blair was very careful, at the start of the new year, when he spoke...outlining efforts being made to assist Asia's tsunami victims. The tsunami disaster, which hit south Asian countries, has attracted the attention it deserves....  However, there are others who are being devastated but no-one is concerned about them....  The British leader forgot or ignored that there are others who are being oppressed every hour by the occupation [in Iraq]. Did Blair forget that, according to British newspapers, the victims of Iraq war now exceed 100,000?....  Iraq, therefore, deserves to be given the same attention as the 11 tsunami-affected countries."

 

SAUDI ARABIA:  "Time To Deliver"

 

The English-language pro-government Arab News advised (1/7):  "When men of honor promise to do something, you can expect that they will. But when governments pledge money for international causes, unfortunately, there is no certainty that the funds will be forthcoming....  During yesterday's tsunami aid summit in Jakarta, there was an awkward suspicion in the corridors that by no means all the vast amounts of governmental aid already promised might materialize. Nobody cared to articulate the concern publicly because there is a sense that because the devastation of the tsunami dwarfs any other modern disaster, the substantial sums of money promised will in fact arrive. If they do, it will be unusual. Many governments have a patchy record on honoring their pledges of money and aid....  It is all too easy to make newsworthy pledges of aid....  Though it seems unthinkable at the moment, the Asian tsunami will in due time slip from the headlines. There will be other big projects with which politicians will want to be associated....  It was no doubt with this in mind that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan insisted yesterday in Jakarta that donors needed to start honoring their pledges by providing an immediate $1 billion in cash for urgent use. Maybe now is the time for the UN to open a proper accounting of all donor pledges and if all the money is not forthcoming in due time, ask why the promises have not been honored."

 

ALGERIA:  "What Have We (Arabs) Done For Survivors In Asia?"