New Orleans turns to international aid

City has received only half of promised funds
By BECKY BOHRER
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW ORLEANS --The cash-strapped city of New Orleans is turning to foreign countries for help to rebuild as federal hurricane-recovery dollars remain slow to flow.

Kenya Smith, director of intergovernmental relations for Mayor Ray Nagin, said city leaders are talking with more than five countries. He wouldn't identify the countries, saying discussions were in the early stages. But he said the city is "very serious" about pursuing foreign help.

"Of course, we would love to have all the resources we need from federal and state partners, but we're comfortable now in having to be creative," Smith said. He did not know if the city would have to overcome any obstacles if it got firm pledges for aid, but "we want to make sure we're leaving no options unexplored."

For months Nagin has complained bureaucracy is choking the flow of much-needed federal aid dollars to New Orleans - slowing the city's recovery. As of June 8, the city said it had received just over half of the $320 million FEMA has obligated for rebuilding city infrastructure and emergency response-related costs. The city has estimated its damage at far more than that - at least $1 billion. And that doesn't include other improvements - such as raised neighborhoods - meant to help build the stronger city promoted by Nagin and his recovery director.

Discussions with foreign representatives have been occurring off and on since the storm, but Smith said the city became re-engaged after a news report in April that millions of dollars in aid offered by foreign countries after Hurricane Katrina went unaccepted.

(((entire article @ link below)))

http://www.sunherald.com/218/story/77475.html

This is not news.

gotta love the irony

:cry:

NOTE: When I say "America" I mean the government, not the people. Unfortunately, when an entire city is in trouble, there's only so much the people can do without the help of the government. :-(

Thanks in advance to any country that helps.

I honestly think Americans care. If we had real leadership - if we had a government who organized the aid and rebuilding and asked Americans to help, we would. Unfortunately, once the aftermath of Katrina left our television screens, it left the public consciousness. It's not right, but it's reality. :-(

the con-artist con-servative media smear machine went into high gear. . .and for weeks all we read on the editorial pages were the complaints from the Right that New Orleans should not be rebuilt and that it was the people's own fault they didn't leave the city. Of course, they've just ignored the rest of the Gulf Coast as well, claiming that it is ridiculoud to keep cities in an area so vulnerable.

Of course, conservatives also ignored the tornado that blew away that little Kansas town a few weeks ago, too. I suppose it is the town's fault for building in a location which could be hit by a tornado.

The Right hates America. . .and will do anything to bring the country down quickly to a begging, Third World status.

it would be such a delightful shame for our nation, reminding us how our federal gov't deliberately tried to hurt people of that city, while other nations wanted only to help.

something like, "Le Nouveaux Xiao Xiang Riparian Preserve, brought to you by China." or "Neo Ganges Marina, brought to you by India."