U.N. official slams U.S. as 'stingy' over aid (US Should Raise Taxes)

Washington Times ^ | 12/28/04 | Bill Sammon

[kattracks]

The Bush administration yesterday pledged $15 million to Asian nations hit by a tsunami that has killed more than 22,500 people, although the United Nations' humanitarian-aid chief called the donation "stingy."
    "The United States, at the president's direction, will be a leading partner in one of the most significant relief, rescue and recovery challenges that the world has ever known," said White House deputy press secretary Trent Duffy.
    But U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised.

"It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really," the Norwegian-born U.N. official told reporters. "Christmastime should remind many Western countries at least, [of] how rich we have become."
    "There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy," he said, adding that politicians in the United States and Europe "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."

In response to Mr. Egeland's comments, Mr. Duffy pointed out that the United States is "the largest contributor to international relief and aid efforts, not only through the government, but through charitable organizations. The American people are very giving."

[snip]

"Even before the crisis in the Asia-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean, the demands for food aid were stretching capacity: demands in Sudan, demands in West Africa, demands in other areas hit by drought and fighting," State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said.
    "So even though we're giving a lot, the demand is very high," he added. "We're going to have to look at, as we move forward, what we can do to meet that demand."

[Anti-Bubba182]

I've got an idea. Why don't we take the money we give to the UN and give it to the disaster victims instead.

[Angry Republican]

Keep on digging that hole, U.N.

[Echo Talon]

But U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised.

Now the UN wants to dictate tax policy to the United States because "we are stingy?" WHAT A JOKE! STINGY? I THINK WE SHOULD GET REALLY STINGY WITH OUR UNITED NATIONS PAYMENT!

[MikefromOhio]

We can tell the UN to shove it...

and he needs to talk with the EU, which has donated about 75% less money with 100% more population than we have....

[SAJ]

"It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really,"

WE? WTF is this 'WE', jerkoff? How much are you and your socialist masters in Norway putting into the pot, boy?

[snarks_when_bored]

"We hate you, you American capitalist imperialist swine. You're scum. And give us more money, dammit!"

[al_again]

The wording might not be helpful but I can appreciate the sentiment.

This is the worst humanitarian crisis that the world has faced in a long, long time. Anybody who can do anything to help should. Charities, governments, individuals need to do everything that they can to help. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!!!

Please contribute to charities such as the red-cross.

[al_again]

That would be very appropriate!

[bahblahbah]

"believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."

This guy is so stupid he shouldn't even be qualified for working at McDonalds. We should deduct this guys salary from what we give to the UN.

[NormsRevenge]

U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland ,Norwegian-born U.N. official --- "There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy," he said, adding that politicians in the United States and Europe "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."

I guess he got the raisins TahRayZaa sent him.

[26lemoncharlie]

"It is beyond me why are we so stingy, really," the Norwegian-born U.N. official told reporters. "Christmastime should remind many Western countries at least, [of] how rich we have become."

The Secualrist UN, using Christmas to try to throw us on a guilt factor!! I think that the USA should send in Food, Water, medicines >>>>> NO MONEY!!! Just supplies!!! Buy the goods in the US, and goods manufactured in the US only to send. NO MONEY!!!!! We have been ripped off too many times!! Send it all over by US Merchant ships, if there is any left! NO MONEY!! Good idea with the Money for th eUN, It's a waste there that's for sure!!! NO MONEY JUST SUPPLIES!!!

[ETERNAL WARMING]

I like your idea. We give them billions. Let's stop. Also, Kofi and Son can give some of the billions they've stolen from Iraqi children with their Oil for Food scam.

[srm913]

Ann Coulter pointed out that Norway bequeathed the word "quisling" to the English language.
Monsieur Egeland doesn't disappoint.

[rawhide]

"But U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised. "

Folks, this is where we are headed, I do believe. Take from the rich, give to the poor. And this is where Kerry and the other Democrats are heading us, to be lead and directed by the UN. Hold on, the ride is going to get bumpy.

[ampat]

We are sending $15 million, and the EU is sending only $4 million. They have more people and we are the stingy ones?

[Leofl]

Maybe we should tell the UN to kiss our collective a$$e$, We give more than any other nation in the world. The American people are very giving and always rise to the occasion.

[technomage]

How about asking your UN employees and representatives to give back some of the 21 BILLION plus in monies stolen from the Oil for Food program. That should more than cover it!

[Sonar5]

Long Topic Here:

Where I posted the Guys email address and phone numbers to reach his people:

Ask & ye shall receive:

Happpy To help,
Joe
Sonar5



Media contacts/interviews with Jan Egeland, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs:
Andrew Lawday: tel.: +1 (917) 367-4027,
mobile: +41 (0)79 444 37 15,
e-mail: lawday@un.org
or
Stephanie Bunker: tel.: +1 (917) 367-5126,
mobile: +1 (917) 892-1679,
e-mail: bunker@un.org

egeland@un.org

ALso here are my emails to him:

My first Email to egeland:

Dear Mr. Egeland,

I saw your Interview on CNN 360, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

I've seen Statistics that My Country, the United States of America
gives more money than any country on earth to Charity and Disater
Relief.

You said to the Host, that "WE in Rich Countries", are stingy.....

By using We, you referred to the host and we as The United States of
America. By stating Charity as "International Solidarity", Is a
pathatic SOCIALIST Farce.

Where was the United Nations support teams when Our State of Florida
was ravaged by Hurricanes?

Where was your press conference concerning our tragedies, as the
silence of your Interviews when something beseaches our country is
deafening.

I also question your use of statistical data.

I would like the chance to debate you on this concerning your
statistics. My statistics that I have found show The United States of
America to be one of the highest giving nations in terms of relief and
support around the world when it comes to tragedies like this.

I anticipate your response, and again, please produce your claims of
statistical evidence concerning the percenatges you described by using
the word "We in your Interview with CNN."

Prove you are not hypocritical, sir. Demonstrate to this United States
Citizen that we shoudl trust anything in regards to the United
Nations.

And while you are at it, why shoudl we give to an organization that is
corrup in the Oil For Food Program and has Sex pedophiles running
around in the Congo, and where is the press media on that?

You should go back on CNN, apologize for your comments, and give
appreciation to the United States of America, and its citizens who
always open up their hearts and their money to tragedies like this.

By the way, how much did you personally contribute to the American Red
Cross for Hurricane Disaster Relief. or How much did the UN give?

---

Email #2

My Second email to egeland... Still no response.

Dear Mr. Egeland,

I have your transcript of your interview and your exact words:

Here they are:

1) You said at your news Conference:
"If, actually, the foreign assistance of many countries now is 0.1 or 0.2 percent of the gross national income, I think that is stingy, really," he said. "I don't think that is very generous."

2) Then on CNN, you said:
"COOPER: Earlier at your press conference you said it's going to cost billions of dollars. You said rich nations -- you didn't point out anyone in particular. You didn't say the U.S. You didn't say Europe.
But you just said rich nations are being, I think, stingy was the word
you used.

You don't think rich nations are paying their fair share?

EGELAND: No, I don't think so. I have been in relief work now in
non-governmental organizations and the Red Cross and the U.N. for many
years. It bothers me that we, the rich nations, are not becoming more
generous the more rich we become.

The average rich nation pays 0.2 percent of its national income in
international solidarity, in international assistance. We keep 99.98
percent to ourselves, on average. I don't think that's very generous
when we see the images that you have just seen today.

COOPER: Are saying richer nations should pay a much higher proportion?

EGELAND: A much higher proportion. I mean, usually in the old days in
many religions, you should give one-10th of your surplus. We give much
less than one percent."

You see, your use of the word "WE", invokes inclusion of My Country,
The United States of America.

Is it not enough that we give more money in AID than any other Country
on Earth? Why do you choose to quantify using percentages instead of
real dollars?

That is hypocritical and it is no wonder why so many of our citizens
despise the United Nations.

You choose to attck us as if our country is responsible for the
Earthquake, and the resultant Tsunami's.

How dare you sir, in this time of need, seek to demand that we give
more than we do. You should be ashamed of your comments and you should
apologize.

If you think our citizens and country will give more due to your
comments you are wrong We will always continue to give because we are
a charitable nation, and our hearts grieve for those lost.

Maybe that should be your focus instead of attacking my country.

--
Best Regards,

---

Anyway, large thread already here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1309187/posts

[mindspy]

How about the countries where this occurred reaching into their pocket book. True, this is a terrible thing but it has only devastated coastal communities. These tsunamis did not wipe out entire countries. The elite and government officials (hmmm, that could be redundant)in these countries have plenty of money. Maybe they shouldn't be so stingy.