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Friday, January 22, 2010

Why Is The US Military Occupying Four Airports In Haiti?

The United States is now operating at four airports to ferry aid and relief supplies to quake-devastated Haiti, a senior US military commander said Thursday.

In addition to the Caribbean nation’s main port of entry, Port-au-Prince airport, US forces were also now at work at airports in the coastal city of Jacmel.

They were also operating in the neighboring Dominican Republic at San Isidro and Barahona, US Southern Command chief General Douglas Fraser said.

Around 11,000 US military personnel are currently controlling the operations both on the ground and offshore aboard US Navy and Coast Guard vessels, and another 4,000 US troops are expected to arrive in the coming days.

The Americans’ controlling of the aid operations has raised tensions with some countries. Bolivia and Venezuela have criticized its heavy presence and France earlier expressed annoyance after aid planes were delayed from landing.

French Secretary of State for Cooperation Alain Joyandet called on the United Nations to clarify the US role in Haiti, saying the priority was “helping Haiti, not occupying Haiti.”

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) has complained that five of its planes carrying a total of 85 tons of medical and relief supplies have been diverted from Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic since January 14, although one of its planes was allowed to land this week.

On Thursday, the Haitian president said that “Haiti is not under guardianship” of other countries as they help nurse and feed the victims of last week’s huge quake.

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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

They are delaying or even preventing aid from being delivered to the victims. Not everything is about "control".

Anonymous said...

Our tax dollars at work!

Anonymous said...

Thats real close to Cuba isnt it? We will never leave Haiti. Global corporation see a gold mine there.

Anonymous said...

They are landing supplies at airports in areas that have TRUCKS that can get the supplies to the victims. Port au Prince hasn't got any trucks or roads to drive them on! DUH!

Anonymous said...

#1: Who the hell wants to occupy a poverty stricken island with very little in the way of natural resources that has been ravaged by an earthquake?

#2: I bet those complaining are the main ones who REALLY want to occupy Haiti.

#3: Years of war and humanitarian efforts make us the best prepared to undergo this task. Others are pissed because we do it quite well.

Anonymous said...

? for 9:18.
gold mine for corporate america in haiti? what are they mining? poverty? rum? aids? ignorance? what a foolish statement! lol!

Anonymous said...

a lesson learned would be for the U.S. to pull out completely and let the other countries try doing better. wonder how long it would take before they would be asking the U.S. to help?

Anonymous said...

Haiti was an infamous slave state for the French and then American corporations. It will once again become a slave state. The rich American corporations will us the miltary to lock the country into slavery for ever.

It is the best solution to our "China" problem. Too many consumables are being made in China. It has now threatened our security - China is too powerful.

Haiti will become our wonderous solution to the economic dependency on China.

It is perfect - if you are Machiavelli.

TS said...

This article says "Bolivia and Venezuela have criticized its heavy presence."

Really? Do we really care what those two dictatorships think? Or is this article just another way for America-haters to bash our country?

Anonymous said...

Someone neede to step to the plate. God Bless America.

Anonymous said...

9:51 has a good point. If we are going to ship off all of our manufacturing jobs, why not send them down there. Atleast these people will be greatful and won't be trying to bomb as in the next couple of decades. Also think of the fuel savings for shipping.

Anonymous said...

Obama is looking for more votes from these people!

Anonymous said...

Haven't you figured it out yet, Haiti is now the 51 state.

Anonymous said...

How about this: we completely withdraw and leave the entire effort to Venezuela, Bolivia and France.
I prefer to hear from the Haitians on this one, rather than the usual whiners. Haiti is going to be a disaster for at least a decade (think New Orleans was bad?) and its history says that it doesn't have the ability to do it on its own.
Let the others be annoyed.

Anonymous said...

No idiots the U.S. was the first to respond. We have given aid in the past. The FRENCH had their shot at running the show there.

Chimera said...

I LOVE this blog!Where else can a girl find a reference to Machiavelli???Or find people who actually know who he was?
Our government always has an agenda.Haiti is a good spot to keep an eye on Cuba.Figure it out.