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Originally posted by BANANAMONTANA
The aid was not "free", shameful people that they are.
Only Mexico, offered the U.S. anything for free
At least 22 nations -- including Britain, where BP is based -- have offered oil-collecting skimmers, boom, technical experts and more to help the U.S. cope with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. But their generosity comes with a price tag
The State Department confirmed that nearly every offer of equipment or expertise from a foreign government since the April 20 oil rig explosion would require the U.S. to reimburse that country.
Only Mexico, with wide swaths of poverty among its population, offered the U.S. anything for free. It said it would give the U.S. government some containment boom. BP separately purchased 13,780 feet of boom and two skimmers from Mexico in early May, according to the State Department.
"We're not disappointed," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Friday. "We're quite pleased with the international offers of assistance. What we're concerned with right now is getting these types of assistance as they become available, as they are useful to our cleanup operations, getting them into action so they can clean up the Gulf."
The offers include:
The offers include:
Britain, America's closest ally and headquarters to London-based BP, said it would sell chemical dispersants and containment boom for use cleaning up the spill. London's mayor, Boris Johnson, has previously complained about what he called "buck-passing and name-calling" in the U.S. against BP.
Russia, which received $70.5 million in U.S. aid last year and $78 million in 2008, said it could send boom, oil containers and ships if the U.S. paid for them.
China offered containment boom for a price. When a major earthquake struck in northwest China in April, the U.S. quickly gave $100,000 for relief supplies, and after another major earthquake in southwestern China in 2008, the U.S. donated $500,000 through the U.S. embassy in Beijing to the Red Cross to buy and deliver emergency supplies there.
Congressional researchers estimate the U.S. spends roughly $30 million on foreign aid to China each year, including educational exchanges and health programs.
Israel, which receives roughly $3 billion in U.S. military aid and other assistance, also said it would send containment boom, if the U.S. paid for it.
France offered to send chemical dispersants and equipment to clean oil off birds but only for a price.
Kenya, which received more than $24 million in U.S. aid last year and $11 million in 2008 for humanitarian aid, offered to send fire boom but only if the Obama administration paid.
Vietnam offered a ship with oil-collecting sweep arms if the U.S. paid for it. The U.S. spent $102 million in all types of aid to Vietnam in 2008. When Typhoon Ketsana hit that country last fall, affecting 3 million people, the U.S. spent $100,000 on relief operations.
Romania made a "general offer of support" but asked the U.S. government for payment. After heavy rains sent in July 2008 sent four major rivers over their banks and killed five people, the U.S. gave $50,000 for emergency supplies.
Croatia offered to send technical experts and plans, for a price. The U.S. gave Croatia $50,000 to buy local firefighting equipment in 2007 when more than 800 wildfires broke out during an unusually hot and dry summer.
Originally posted by ambient moon
The oil disaster will not effect the whole US. Just mainly the areas around the Gulf, and possibly the East Coast. I know some people in Florida who are getting ready to move out.
I am worried about how this oil disaster is going to effect the economy. We are in a recession, and a tragedy like this could cause a hyperinflation, or maybe a economic collapse. I have noticed that the cost groceries are already starting to go up.
Originally posted by theregonnakillme
$50 says Hallibirton, BP or Obama send out a bunch of ships loaded with dispersant right into the heart of the storm which will then sink adding to the carnage!
Doom and Gloom we are all gonna die, question is when. I predict 4th July if you are gonna kill the USA why not do it on her birthday!
Originally posted by triplereiki
reply to post by 12voltz
Perfect timing....With the new immigration laws being put into place, we cannot go into Mexico, because they will be pissed at us.....
Originally posted by 12voltz
IF this happens where will North Americans go,I dont think Mexican's will take kindly to refugee's crossing over the border.
Originally posted by triplereiki
Perfect timing....With the new immigration laws being put into place, we cannot go into Mexico, because they will be pissed at us.....But then again, I dont think they would be fair and return the "favor" by letting us in, in the first place.....they sure as heck wouldnt give us anything (benefits, etc)for free