The title? That’s from me.
This post however comes from our defense department: a news conference with General Rick Hillier, Chief of Defense Staff that just aired live on CTV Newsnet.
“We stand ready to help,” said General Hillier. “They know what we are capable of.”
“All units for disaster relief are on high stand-by.”
“The US Ambassador knows that we can help and that we want to help.”
Gen. Hillier was asked if Canada was lobbying for a role.
“We are making sure that we are ready and ensuring that the chain of command in the USAF and here in Canada is aware of what we have. I have the full backing of the Governor General, the Canadian people and the PM, who I talked to last night.”
Gen Hillier was asked if he thinks pride has stopped the Americans from accepting our help, due to the size of the large American military vs Canada’s small military?
“No. I think they realize the desperate nature of the situation and will call on us for help if need be.”
Asked about a possible timeframe.
“We could have the first assist in the water nearby – we’d package whatever we could and go from there.”
He has spoken with his US counterpart and the Ambassador and let them know that, “We are willing and ready to respond to basically anything the US needs right now.”
The response he got back …
A heartfelt thank you.
After the interview, Roger Smith CTV reporter said the following:
- Canada really wants to help.
- A neighbour helping a neighbour.
- We are on stand-by.
- We are taking the unusual step of packing a vessel in Halifax, which would be ready to be sent to the gulf.
- There is no further news on being asked or if we will ever be asked to help.
- We could provide, CF-130 Hercules, helicopters, electric generators, water purification via DART, small boats for getting around, diving units to work underwater to retrieve bodies and remove debris, medical supplies, etc.
OTTAWA (CP) – Gen. Rick Hillier says the Canadian military is ready to respond immediately if the United States asks for help in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.
Hillier says he told U.S. ambassador David Wilkins that there are contingency plans. Although he says the Americans have most or all they need to help with recovery from the devastating hurricane, there may be things they need in addition.
Prime Minister Paul Martin told U.S. President George W. Bush by telephone as well that Canada will help in any way needed. (link)
Canadian Government’s response site on Hurricane Katrina
PLEASE! Let us help you. Please!
Update [2005-9-1 18:36:7 by olivia]: Looks like the US is going to start accepting aid, via WorldTraveler’s diary on Kos:
In a dramatic turnabout, the United States is now on the receiving end of help from around the world as some two dozen countries offer post-hurricane assistance.
(…)
With offers from the four corners of the globe pouring in, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has decided “no offer that can help alleviate the suffering of the people in the afflicted area will be refused,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday.
(…)
Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States, the spokesman said. (Two dozen nations offer aid)
Let’s hope that it’s not too late to save lives. We need to get those poor people out of the crisis situation and stabilized.
