U.S. accepts Russian Katrina aid

[sabra]

http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=112787&cat=World

U.S. accepts Russian Katrina aid:-

After first turning it down, the United States has accepted Russia's proposal to help Louisiana recover from Hurricane Katrina.

Anything that can be of help to alleviate the tragic situation of the area affected by Hurricane Katrina will be accepted, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. America should be heartened by the fact that the world is reaching out to America at a time of need.

Altogether, more than 20 countries, from allies Germany and Japan to Venezuela and Honduras, have offered to help the United States cope with the aftermath of Katrina, MosNews reported.

President George W. Bush said in an earlier television interview the United States could take care of itself.

[TrogL]

1. Ah whazzamatter Dubya, "rugged individualism" not working out?

[jsamuel]

2. why did they wait 5 days to accept? just like to give food/water?

WTF?

[Triana]

4. Had to time it with bu$hits Friday visit to NO

...just like the rest of the aid. This way, bu$hit looks like the hero he's not.

[katty]

9. Bar w/put victims up at Kennebunkport--we don't need help!

SOMEONE PLEASE GET RID OF THIS PLAGUE CALLED BUSH

[sonicx]

3. are they sure? a similar article says...

<<However, the United States noted that it would consider the Russian proposal, if need be, ITAR-TASS reported. No official confirmation of Russian aid being sent to the United States has been announced by U.S. officials.>>

http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/09/02/russaid.shtml

neither of these are great sources. AP and Reuters have nothing.

[northzax]

5. ooh, Condi's going off the res. again

white house says 'no' while the State Department realizes it's too damn rude to say no, especially when you obviously are fucking up.

[Gormy Cuss]

8. Similar to what I've been thinking.

From a diplomatic point of view, what does it cost us to allow some of the few countries we still count as allies help us out after all the aid we've given them? It would seem to be to solidify the alliance. This disaster isn't the normal scale where Americans can take care of ourselves. Bush can say no to Chavez or others on the short list of W enemies but saying no to Russia, admittedly not as high on the W buddy list as it once was, makes little sense to me.

[Vogon_Glory]

6. Surely those big Hind-Ds Can Pull Off a Lot of People

Surely those huge Hind-D helicppters can pull a lot of survivors out of the waters.

[bloom]

7. .

[damntexdem]

10. I don't believe it! Is this the first acceptance?

Of course, many have died because of the delay; but maybe some will live because of the criminally-late acceptance.

And why from Russia? Could it be because of the name of the hurricane?