Bush 'Undermining UN with Aid Coalition'

By Jamie Lyons, PA Political Correspondent
United States President George Bush was tonight accused of trying to undermine the United Nations by setting up a rival coalition to coordinate relief following the Asian tsunami disaster.
The president has announced that the US, Japan, India and Australia would coordinate the world’s response.
But former International Development Secretary Clare Short said that role should be left to the UN.
“"I think this initiative from America to set up four countries claiming to coordinate sounds like yet another attempt to undermine the UN when it is the best system we have got and the one that needs building up,"” she said.
“"Only really the UN can do that job,"” she told BBC Radio Four’s PM programme.
“"It is the only body that has the moral authority. But it can only do it well if it is backed up by the authority of the great powers."”
Ms Short said the coalition countries did not have good records on responding to international disasters.
She said the US was “very bad at coordinating with anyone” and India had its own problems to deal with.
“"I don’t know what that is about but it sounds very much, I am afraid, like the US trying to have a separate operation and not work with the rest of the world through the UN system,"” she added.
Article origination: Scottsman.com (linked from Drudge Report)

This comes after the UN attacked America for being stingy by only donating $35 million to the relief fund. It's ridiculous to act as if the only financial aid from America comes from the government. The United Nations is failing to recognize that every individual in America has the opportunity to write a check to the organization of their choice. I know several people who are donating to the American Red Cross and others who are giving to World Vision. There are countless other organizations providing aid. When it is all said and done, private donates will surely outweigh the $35 million donated by our government. America is a very generous country! Quit politicizing the catastrophe to cover up your own mistakes!