Powell, Gov. Bush lead support delegation to Thailand(USATODAY on arrival)

[diamond14]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-01-03-powell-relief_x.htm?csp=34

Updated 1/3/2005 11:26 PM

Powell, Gov. Bush lead support delegation to Thailand
By Barbara Slavin, USA TODAY

-snips-

BANGKOK, Thailand — A U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and President Bush's brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, arrived here Monday night to show support for nations struggling to recover from one of the most deadly and widespread natural calamities in recorded history.

The high-level visit was intended in part to compensate for an initially sluggish U.S. response to the Dec. 26 tsunami. Powell acknowledged to reporters en route to Bangkok that the visit could have a "political effect," especially with Muslims opposed to other Bush administration policies in Iraq and elsewhere. But he stressed that "we are not doing this because we are seeking political advantage or just because we are trying to make ourselves look better with Muslims. We are doing this because these are human beings in need, in desperate need." Powell said Monday said he did not anticipate any further U.S. government monetary pledges for the time being.

Andrew Natsios, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, who also accompanied Powell, said relief workers were also "beginning to see real psychological problems" among survivors who are paralyzed by the shock of losing their homes, relatives and means of livelihood. As part of the U.S. aid effort, he said the United States was providing small stipends to motivate survivors to clean up their communities as a kind of "occupational therapy." Natsios said visits of very visible high-level people" could also mitigate the trauma and help "restore a sense of hope that they (survivors) are not forgotten."

Gov. Bush said that such visits could also encourage the thousands of foreign and local relief workers laboring to heal the injured, identify and bury the dead and prevent the spread of diseases. "Someone needs to put an arm around somebody and say 'thank you for job well done'," he said.



Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives Monday at a military airport in Bangkok, Thailand.
By Sakchai Lalit, AP

[diamond14]

1. these American monsters are TRULY DELUSIONAL as to their

importance...their STUPID appearance is more a hinderance than a help...and I am certain that their appearance will do NOTHING to restore a sense of hope....I doubt many victims know who these IDIOTS are, and certainly at this point, they could care less....

and the suit/tie outfits are OUT OF CONTEXT....

[readmylips]

2. Going Wel....Why did they need Prez Clinton?

to be a wipe-ass for the bush criminals. Powell and Jebby have no credibility.

[peekaloo]

3. How many people has Jebthro hugged today?

I hope they check their pockets before he leaves.