By McClatchy-Tribune News Service
WASHINGTON — Saying relief for earthquake-devastated Haiti must be a “top priority” for U.S. government agencies, President Barack Obama announced Thursday additional U.S. search and rescue teams and critical supplies are on the way to the Caribbean nation.
Flanked by members of the Cabinet at the White House, Obama also announced an immediate investment of $100 million in the recovery effort for Haiti, where the death toll may top 100,000.
“America stands with you,” Obama said to Haitians in a short statement. “You will not be forsaken, you will not be forgotten.”
The first waves of U.S. rescue and relief workers are on the ground in Haiti now, Obama said.
Tuesday’s 7.0-magnitude quake — the first to hit Haiti in more than two centuries — destroyed thousands of buildings, including the presidential palace, and knocked out telephone service and electricity.
U.S. special operations forces have reopened Haiti’s airport, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday morning.
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COMMENT: HAITIAN-TRUTH.ORG
More smoke and mirrors.
Obama can suggest but the idea will be shot down in Congress and Obama can shrug, and get the credit for the suggestion. Haiti will get nothing.
Exactly, it is an old American political game in which assistance is promised and then blocked by Congress, when it comes to a vote.
By that time the politician has gained the benefits, from the publicity around his promise, and everything is finally forgotten, until the next empty promise is made.