Main focus of Tuesday, January 19, 2010

US first to provide help for Haiti

The EU decided on Monday to help Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake with more than 420 million euros in aid. But according to the European press, in this humanitarian disaster too, the US has once again adopted the leading role - much to the detriment of the UN.

Diário de Notícias - Portugal

The US's leading role will remain undisputed as long as it continues to do most when disasters strike or wars break out, the daily Diário de Notícias concludes: "Given the enormity of the tragedy in Haiti it is hardly surprising that the world is mobilising to help the country. ... But what is surprising and should give us pause for thought is that once again it's the US that has taken the lead in providing humanitarian and financial aid and organising all the missions in the country. ... Everyone has helped, but no one else has set up a project like the US, which is even contemplating a Marshall Plan to rebuild Haiti. Europe has mobilised but has waited until this week to decide how much financial aid it will provide. It can be argued that Haiti is in the Americans' 'backyard' and that its conduct and concerns are therefore normal. But as long as it's always the Americans who make the biggest effort every time there's a major tragedy or conflict no one can dispute their position at the centre of global decision-making. They have earned that position. Haiti is simply the latest proof of this." (18/01/2010)

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El Mundo - Spain

The United Nations has failed to do its job in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, writes the conservative daily El Mundo: "We should therefore be demanding an explanation from Ban Ki moon rather than Washington. If the top priority after the disaster was to establish rules for the effective management of aid, the UN has abdicated its responsibility. The absence of an international arbiter has led to Washington assuming a leading role, which has annoyed Paris most of all because it doesn't want to lose influence in its ex-colony. What's more, this is the second time within the space of a month that a major event has overwhelmed the UN. The first was in mid-December at the Copenhagen climate summit, where the US and China reached a deal behind the international community's back. There are many voices ... calling for its reform, and even for it to be replaced by a new organisation." (19/01/2010)

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NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands

In the aftermath of the earthquake Haiti now faces the menace of looting and anarchy. The country is dominated by structural violence, the daily NRC Handelsblad writes: "In the course of two centuries Haiti has experienced near on 200 coups and then a series of bloodthirsty dictators like 'Papa Doc' and his son 'Baby Doc', who were left to wreak havoc in the country unchecked between 1957  and 1986 - among other things as a consequence of the outside world focusing on geopolitical goals after the Cold War reached the Caribbean via Cuba. In Haiti politics has always just been another word for a murderous form of lining one's own pockets. Or in other words, in Haiti everything has been done to make people bad or ensure they stay that way. This pitiful image of mankind now seems to once again be emerging from among the ruins. ... If later it becomes clear that in addition to destroying the infrastructure the earthquake has also destroyed the wretched political culture then Haiti will have another chance with the help of foreign aid."   (19/01/2010)

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Lidové noviny - Czech Republic

The Czech population has responded to calls to help earthquake victims in Haiti with several million koruna in donations. By contrast the government in Prague has yet to send even a few trained helpers to the region, the conservative daily Lidové Noviny complains: "With a catastrophe like the one in Haiti what counts is quick help which can save lives if possible. With its slender economic means the Czech Republic doesn't have a lot of money or soldiers at its disposal to help with Haiti's reconstruction. It can't spend hundreds of millions of dollars like the US. But it can send qualified people, for example rescuers with dogs. Why didn't we send them, while Spain, Belgium, Poland and Israel all did their part?" (19/01/2010)

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