unbelievable!

[howzatt!]

caption: A tourist sunbathes next to a tsunami-hit fishing boat on Patong Beach in Thailand's island of Phuket on January 3, 2005. Tourists are resuming their vacation eight days after quake-triggered tidal waves slammed onto Phuket's popular beach, killing hundreds. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad

Are they human beings? death toll have gone past 155,000. millions of people have lost everything. you look at newspapers and photos on the internet and feel bad for them and these tourists enjoy their vacation alongside them. i'm shocked.

Edited on, January 3, 2005, 10:04 AM GMT, by howzatt!.

[AGC]

omg! unbelievable.....

[reverse_swing]

LONDON (Reuters) - A man has admitted to sending hoax emails to friends and relatives of people missing since the Asian tsunami.

Christopher Pierson pleaded guilty to sending more than 30 emails to worried relatives, saying their loved ones had been confirmed dead, after they posted their details on the Web site of TV station Sky News.

Pierson, 37, from Ruskington in Lincolnshire was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on January 24, an official at London's Horseferry Road Magistrates Court said.

Pierson pleaded guilty to charges of malicious communication and causing a public nuisance after police seized computer equipment at the weekend.

Pierson is accused of posing as a British official from the "Foreign Office Bureau" in Thailand in his emails. All the messages came from one bogus email address, ukgovfoffice@aol.com.

Sky News said it was "disgusted" that its Web site had been abused and contacted police as soon as it found out.

The death toll from the tsunami, triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off western Indonesia a week ago, stood at almost 144,000 on Monday, including at least 40 Britons.

-Reuters

[rafiq]

actually, there are resorts on the other side of phuket that are open. the 3 months of winter are the peak business period for thai tourism. If tourists don't return, what are these people going to live on - charity from the US and Saudi Arabia? As much as the above picture shocks our sensibilities, the tourists are essential to returning the place to normalcy. The reconstruction effort will take months and years - at what point should tourists return?


I saw a list of which nations have donated towards the $2B so far. All the news is about the US (which is now upto $350M) but nowhere to be see are the oil-rich Muslim countries. Saudis have had to dig deep to come up with $10M. That's shocking. I was also stunned that Singapore, a neighboring country, has come up with a measly $1M or so. Even Nepal donated $100K.

[oracle]

Same old earth, same old news - the "wretched of the earth" bearing it all.

[reverse_swing]

Originally posted by rafiq
actually, there are resorts on the other side of phuket that are open. the 3 months of winter are the peak business period for thai tourism. If tourists don't return, what are these people going to live on - charity from the US and Saudi Arabia? As much as the above picture shocks our sensibilities, the tourists are essential to returning the place to normalcy. The reconstruction effort will take months and years - at what point should tourists return?


I saw a list of which nations have donated towards the $2B so far. All the news is about the US (which is now upto $350M) but nowhere to be see are the oil-rich Muslim countries. Saudis have had to dig deep to come up with $10M. That's shocking. I was also stunned that Singapore, a neighboring country, has come up with a measly $1M or so. Even Nepal donated $100K.

If calculated per capita, the UK($96M) and the USA($350M) are at the bottom of the list, not at the top.

Edited on, January 3, 2005, 3:14 PM GMT, by reverse_swing.

[Pundit]

The man spent his money to come vacationing !!

In regards to per capita and such, since the donor money comes out of the govt. coffer and not the citizens' pocket, its of little sense to compare things in that scale. Afterall, its Scotland who pays the money, not citizen Reverse_Swing.

[Arnab]

Originally posted by Pundit
The man spent his money to come vacationing !!

In regards to per capita and such, since the donor money comes out of the govt. coffer and not the citizens' pocket, its of little sense to compare things in that scale. Afterall, its Scotland who pays the money, not citizen Reverse_Swing.

Except that Govts tax their citizens to get that money.

Edited on, January 3, 2005, 4:01 PM GMT, by Arnab.

[rafiq]

Does anyone know what bangladesh is giving, aside from the bcb's offer to donate $10K gate money from the the zim series? Bangladeshis should not forget the genorisity of other countries when we get pounded by disasters year after year, and the response so far from the Govt. has not registered on the radar. For people living in BD, has there been any response from the public to the appeal for donations?

[Fazal]

Originally posted by rafiq
Does anyone know what bangladesh is giving, aside from the bcb's offer to donate $10K gate money from the the zim series?

Cha (tea). That's what they usually send.

This time they also sent two navy ships with rescue equipment, medicine and relief goods to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Who (Bangladesh or Sri Lanka/Maldives) is going to provide the food for the navy men is still unknown.

Edited on, January 3, 2005, 8:11 PM GMT, by Fazal.

[rafiq]

Cha - that's all - what a joke for a country where the political and the powerful are so corrupt they could buy you and I a million times over.

And who is going to provide food for the Bangladesh navy men? What a bunch of beggars Bangladesh still is.... sad to say.

[Pundit]

I think Ms. Khaleda did a "Bush" and first pledged 35 taka, only to change it to 350 Taka.

Though in reality its a much higher value than that. Will read and get back. As for the navy men, they provide their own food and clothing !!

Perhaps we should think about the word "remmitance" for a change ?

[fab]

It's a bit of a catch 22. If no tourists go, then of course it impacts their economy, but at the same time the resources are over stretched.

And $10M donation for infidels? Surely they are being MORE than generous!

There was a program by Britain's ITV where they showed townships in Aceh where more than 90% of the popln perished with bodies floating in the water and on the streets The survivors have no one left. It's like one day you have a family, and the next day you don't. Not a single relation. Unfathomable.

[fab]

Originally posted by fab
And $10M donation for infidels? Surely they are being MORE than generous!

Quoting myself. But it seems that UAE has pledged US$20million. The UN has apparently received 1.93 billion. But one does have to wonder, how much of this will be pocketed and how much will go to the victims..

[James90]

The tourists went for a vacation, they were there to have fun, they spent money. The were mourning for 8 days and then thought "That's enough, I might as well enjoy myself, that's what i came here to do"

[rafiq]

Originally posted by fab

And $10M donation for infidels? Surely they are being MORE than generous!

Infidels? Most of the dead are Indonesian, probably Muslims. Maybe they are too dumb to figure that out.

[fab]

Originally posted by rafiq
Infidels? Most of the dead are Indonesian, probably Muslims. Maybe they are too dumb to figure that out.

I was under the impression that most inhabitants of the Aceh province were non-muslim (hence the whole independence movement?). Could be wrong.

[reverse_swing]

Originally posted by rafiq
Cha - that's all - what a joke for a country where the political and the powerful are so corrupt they could buy you and I a million times over.

And who is going to provide food for the Bangladesh navy men? What a bunch of beggars Bangladesh still is.... sad to say.

Relief from Bangladesh arrives

The President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh sent messages expressing deep sorrow and shock over the loss of life and property in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh also expressed readiness to be of any assistance to the people of Sri Lanka at this difficult time.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begam Khaleda Zia took personal initiatives to send emergency relief materials to Sri Lanka. The Government of Bangladesh has decided to donate:

Emergency medicines like water purification tablets, antibiotics, oral and intravenous saline, disposable syringes, Bottled water, dry food and clothes etc.

Bangladesh will also send: Medical and Engineering teams from the Bangladesh Armed Forces, Seven water purification plants, four Gemini boats and two bell helicopters.

Two medical teams comprising 48 officers/personnel from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force together with emergency relief materials had arrived in Colombo, by the Bangladesh Air Force equipped to run field hospitals.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Yakub Ali travelled from Dhaka with the emergency relief materials. The second consignment arrived yesterday and the third consignment will reach shortly. A Bangladesh Navy ship will dock in Colombo on January 5 with additional relief materials and logistics support.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Yakub Ali handed over the relief materials to Prof. Wiswa Warnapala, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs at a ceremony at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

He assured the Hon'ble Deputy Foreign Minister that Bangladesh would do everything possible to help friendly people of Sri Lanka.



Source

Edited on, January 4, 2005, 8:42 AM GMT, by reverse_swing.

[PoorFan]

I cant believe we are talking about Muslim or non Muslim when victims are simply a victim.
Does it make any difference whether they are Muslim or not?
If it does, then help yourself first before you think you should help some victims.

[rafiq]

On Bangladesh's help: that's more like it. The comment on who is going to pay for feeding our navy while they are over there was probably a personal comment on this forum rather than a national debate, at least I hope so. If it is being debated, then it's quite narrow-minded.

Fab, Aceh province is made up of about 98% Muslims (a few years old data). The conflict there is about the lack of local economic development despite the revenues generated by oil resources in the region. Same old story as found in many places. In fact the Muslims there are probably more orthodox than in other parts of Indonesia - sharia law is in place for Muslims - following a trend in neighboring regions such as northern Malaysia and southern Thailand. You can read more about the conflict and past atrocities committed by the Indonesian Army in this link at genocideprevention.org :

Aceh conflict background

It's a long report, excerpts:

Impending Clash May Result in Crimes Against Humanity

Background of the Current Conflict


Before becoming part of Indonesia, Aceh had been an independent sultanate with its own currency for several centuries. Even after being colonized by the Dutch, Aceh experienced a long history of resistance against colonial power. During the Indonesian war for independence against the Dutch, Aceh made significant contributions to Indonesia in terms of material and financial resources (Siedel, UNHCR WriteNet Paper, sect. 2). As a result of such contributions, Aceh was granted a 'special region status' by President Sukarno when Indonesia gained independence in 1949. The 'special region status' gave only nominal autonomy to Aceh. As of August 9, 2001, President Megawati Soekarnoputri granted 'special autonomy' for the region, allowing for the implementation of Islamic Law for Muslims, and a larger portion of revenue between the central government and the province.



The discovery of natural gas reserves in Aceh has contributed significantly to the central government's revenue since the 1970s. By some estimates, Aceh has contributed one-third of Indonesia's oil and gas exports, as well as timber, rubber, gold and silver production (Japan Times, May 25, 2000). However, Aceh itself has benefited little from its own resources, receiving less than 5% of the revenue earned from oil found in the region (International Crisis Group, Asia Report No.17, 3). However, since special autonomy has been implemented in the region, Aceh should now receive 70 percent of the total profit gained from the oil and gas reserves, as well as 80 percent of the total revenue from the province's agricultural and fishing income.



Economic growth after the 1970s marginalized many of the Acehnese, by widening the disparity between the affluent and the poor. (Siedel, sect. 2) The rebel GAM armed movement began to gain momentum in the late 1980s and the 1990s. In 1989, the Suharto government responded to the GAM by mobilizing the national military (TNI). Special elite forces of the TNI were sent to the province to hunt down the GAM members. By 1997, clashes between the two waned, and the GAM members began underground movements (Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, January 2001).



In 1998 when, the Suharto rule ended, the GAM intensified its guerrilla activities. The promised prosecution of military personnel slowed significantly and the TNI continued with its counterinsurgency operations. As a result, significant number so of Acehnese have died and thousands have become internally displaced or become refugees. Since the fighting for an independent Islamic state in Aceh broke out in 1976, more than 10,000 people have been killed, including nearly 2,000 people in 2001, and 400 this year (AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE, April 23, 2002).



Key Players

GAM (Free Aceh Movement): The GAM are the armed faction behind the Aceh independence movement. They insist that Aceh was illegally transferred to Indonesia in 1949 when Indonesia became independent. The GAM originally rejected the concept of 'special autonomy' within the framework of Indonesia, claiming that its goal is complete Aceh independence.


.
The GAM is not a homogeneous organization, but is instead fueled by many motives. Some members loyal to their leader, Hasan di Tiro, are participating in the movement to pursue independence; some seek to avenge the murders of family members committed by the TNI; others are involved simply to commit banditry at the conflict sites. (ICG, Asia Report No.18, 18) The GAM is also alleged to be divided about how the future independent Aceh should be organized - as democracy or a sultanate. (Inside Indonesia, No. 62).



Guerrilla activities have intensified, and the TNI is experiencing difficulties suppressing GAM movements. The GAM is especially active in areas where the major oil reserves are concentrated. Lhoseumawe, where Indonesia's leading oil and gas producer Exxon-Mobile is located, is one of the most famous oil sites under GAM's control in Indonesia.



The Indonesian government and the TNI: The TNI is the Indonesian national military. The TNI and the government continue to reject an Aceh independence referendum on the grounds that it would cause similar conflicts in other restive regions of Indonesia, leading to the disintegration of the entire archipelago (ICG, Asia Report No.17, 19). As the GAM intensifies its guerrilla activities, the TNI has responded with more troops.



Nature of the Abuses


TNI atrocities: The independent commission on violence in Aceh, created in 1998 by former president Habibie, assessed that over 90% of human rights abuses in the area were committed by the TNI and the police during the period 1989-98 (ICG, Asia Report No.17, 8). The death toll in the past three years is comparable to the total numbers during the entire decade under Suharto (Far Eastern Economic Review, 05 July, 2001). In 2001 alone, more than 1,700 people were killed. More than 400 people have been killed this year. TNI's target continues to be GAM members and supporters. Civilians have suffered an inordinate amount of casualties during TNI operations.



The following are examples of possible crimes against humanity, massacres and discovered mass gravesites indicating the potential danger for future genocidal activities.



Date: July 23, 1999
Place: Beutong Ateuh, West Aceh
Victims: At least 50

Police surrounded a religious school on the report that there were weapons inside. Over fifty bodies were founded, "mowed down by bullets". All the students and teachers were killed. No TNI soldiers were killed or wounded. Only four weapons were found on the site (Human Rights Watch, August 27, 1999).



Date: November 3-10, 2000
Place: Banda Aceh, provincial capital
Victims: 30



The security forces opened fire on convoys of Acehnese traveling to participate in a pro-independence rally. Thirty people were "extrajudicially executed". Those prevented from going to the rally were tortured, treated brutally, or intimidated (Amnesty International, January 31, 2001).

[bdmoderator]

Really unbelievable.

[rassel]

BD government must have been disappointed since this tsunami hadn’t hit our country. Imagine how much money those parasites would have had in their account. I mean deep down inside they are simply asking for this sort disaster to happen, so they can add outrageous number to their account they already have.

[Fazal]

Who is Giving What

1) Japan :$500m (£264m) in government donations, 120 civilian emergency workers sent to tsunami-hit countries.

2) USA : $350m in government donations, plus military assistance involving 12,600 personnel, 21 ships, 14 cargo planes and 48 helicopters. Private donations are also pouring in, with $120m donated to the US branches of the Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children, and to Catholic Relief Services.

3) World Bank :$250m diverted from existing programmes to cover emergency needs while longer-term reconstruction needs are assessed.

4) Norway : $182m in government donations, plus $30m raised in private donations.

5) Asian Development Bank : $175m has been diverted from existing programmes in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The bank says up to $150m more could be made available in new loans.

6) Britain : $96m in government donations, plus $146m in private donations which the government has pledged to match. Two RAF planes, a C-17 and a Tristar, are helping to deliver aid to the region. Chancellor Gordon Brown is pushing a proposal for the debts of the affected nations to be frozen.

7) Italy : $95m in government aid. Six to eight police forensics specialists have been sent to Thailand to help to identify bodies. Public donations totalling $20m had been collected by New Year's Day.

8) Sweden : $80m in government donations, plus $60m in private donations including money raised during two telethons.

9) Denmark : $75m in government aid. Copenhagen has sent a field hospital, transport vehicles and a ship to the UN aid effort, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said.

10) Spain : $68m in government donations, and a medical team has been sent to Sri Lanka.

11) France : $66m in government donations, plus an estimated $49m raised in private donations. A medical team has been sent to Sri Lanka.

12) Canada : $66m in government donations, plus at least $29m raised in private donations with a government commitment to match every dollar donated by the public. Ottawa has already placed a moratorium on debt from the affected countries. It is also deploying its highly-specialised Disaster Assistance Response Team to Sri Lanka.

13) China : $60m in government donations, plus $1.8m donated to the Chinese Red Cross.

14) South Korea : $50m in government aid. The prime minister's office said the funds would be spend for rehabilitation of the devastated areas over the next three years. Private donations have reached nearly $13m, the South Korean foreign ministry says.

15) Australia : $46m has been donated in government aid, and donations from the public total $58m. About 350 military staff, four military helicopters, a troop transport ship, a military health support team and a water purification plant are being sent to Indonesia, as well as a team of volunteer medical professionals.

16) Netherlands : $34m has been donated by the government and aid groups say a further $35m has been raised in private donations. A Dutch police identification team has been sent to Thailand.

17) European Union : $31m in aid, although EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner has said this may be increased by tens of millions of euros.

18) Germany : $27m in government aid. Berlin is planning to increase this to $680m, according to a government source. Germany is also sending a mobile hospital to Aceh and a military ship with two helicopters, aid supplies, water treatment equipment and an operating theatre on board. The public have donated an estimated $130m.

19) Qatar : $25m in government aid. Qatar is also sending food, medical and logistical supplies to affected countries.

And then,

India : The Indian military is staging its biggest relief operation ever in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia. This involves at least 16,000 troops, 32 navy ships, 41 aircraft including at least 16 helicopters, several medical teams and a mobile hospital. The air force has so far lifted 10,000 tonnes of relief supplies.

Bangladesh : Bangladesh has dispatched 111 soldiers to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with a further 46 expected to join them. Two planes and two helicopters will carry the troops together with aid supplies.

Pakistan : Pakistan plans to send 500 military staff in medical and engineering teams to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.


bbc

[Fazal]

Mata Amritanandamayi, also known as Amma or Mother pledges $23m tsunami relief. Mata Amritanandamayi is best known for hugging people as a form of blessing and therapy.
She is estimated to have to have hugged at least 21 million people in the past 30 years.

Her trust - which provides homes, schools and medical care - operates in 15 countries including Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.



Edited on, January 5, 2005, 5:38 AM GMT, by Fazal.

[bdmoderator]

Thanks Fazal for this info.