Pakistanis have told me that the images coming from the relief effort in Haiti remind them of their own country’s massive earthquake five years ago. The effects of that disaster still are visible. But despite Pakistan’s current hardships, some people, such as Abdul Sattar Edhi, are working to send aid to the small Caribbean nation. Watch the story below:
My interview with Edhi — who is known in some quarters for his humanitarian works as Pakistan’s “Father Teresa” — occurred a few weeks after the earthquake struck Haiti. I spoke to him by phone today to see if his wait for visas was over. It isn’t.
Initially, Edhi had gone to the Cuban Embassy in Islamabad to get visas for himself and his fellow team members. However, he said Cuban officials denied their requests because the U.S. military is managing the traffic in and out of Haiti’s main ports of entry.
Edhi then went to the U.S. Embassy. He has a permanent Green Card for the United States, but his team members do not. Today, Edhi said he is frustrated because U.S. officials gave him the impression that his team would not receive any visas for at least six months.
The United States has tightened restrictions on issuing visas during the past few years. In addition, a U.S. Embassy spokeswoman told me today that humanitarian efforts are not given any special consideration, and everyone has to go through the same process.
So as it stands, there is at least a million dollars and a team of workers with quake experience on stand by, half-a-world away.
What do you think? I’d love to read your comments below about your views on the situation.
Watch VOA’s Special Report below on U.S. President Barack Obama’s announcement of his new strategy for Afghanistan.
During his speech, President Obama explained the purpose of more troops is to break the Taliban’s momentum in the country and help lay the foundation for transitioning command from the coalition to Afghan security forces.
Mr. Obama also sought to reassure Afghans that the United States has no interest in taking over their country. He said America seeks to isolate those who destroy and strengthen those who build in Afghanistan. Watch my story below to see how Afghans reacted to the U.S. president:
Mr. Obama also had a message for the Afghan government: The time for writing “blank checks” is over. U.S. officials have long warned Afghan President Hamid Karzai that he must address government corruption during his new five-year term. The day before President Obama’s announcement, Afghan lawmaker Daud Sultanzoi told me that he thought the new U.S. strategy is premature.
Mr. Obama also promised that the United States will not abandon the region. He said that ultimately, America wants to be a partner with Afghanistan and not a patron.
The last five days in Kabul were extremely busy. The main story: Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s inauguration. Or more importantly: the promises he made in his inaugural address. Afghanistan’s allies were paying close attention. Watch my television report below for a summary of the speech:
It appears Mr. Karzai is working fast to make good on at least some his promises. Late Sunday, his office issued a decree asking Afghanistan’s High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption to prepare for a national conference within one month. The conference will bring together Afghan government officials, analysts and members of Afghan civil societies to discuss how to combat government corruption.
However, the make-up of this conference does beg the question: How can you find effective ways to combat government corruption when you are inviting government officials to participate? The conference’s findings should be interesting.
Also in his inaugural address, President Karzai reached out to militants without links to international terrorism to help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. But following the tightly-guarded inauguration ceremony, it seemed the militants gave their response. Afghan officials said a suicide bomber in the south of the country killed 10 civilians and wounded 13 others. A separate bombing also the same day killed two U.S. soldiers in eastern Zabul province.
President Karzai said it is his goal to have Afghan forces take the lead for all security operations by the end of his new five-year term. Judging by the continued violence, it may be a long five years.
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