Friday
Jan152010
Gates Defends Pace Of Haitian Relief Effort
Defense Secretary Robert Gates Friday defended the pace at which U.S. resources are reaching Haiti.
"I don't know how this government could have acted faster," Gates said during a press briefing with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen. "There are just some certain facts of life."
Although the U.S. began mobilizing its relief efforts shortly after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake ravaged Haiti, a large portion of supplies slated to be delivered via-boat will not arrive until this weekend.
The defense secretary outlined a number of limitations, including the speed of the vessels, the small size of Haiti's airport and the collapse of the country's infrastructure.
According to both Gates and Mullen, using airdrops to provide necessary resources was rejected early-on in the planning stages. Gates noted that there were concerns that dropping supplies onto the distressed Caribbean nation could lead to riots. Thus far, according to Gates, there has been some level of scavenging for food and water, coupled with minor looting.
By Monday, Haiti is expected to have access to 9,000-10,000 U.S. troops, both on and off-shore. According to Mullen, there is still a possibility that more can be sent as details of the country's status develop.
"We are poised to do that," said Mullen. "[The U.S.] always has a ready brigade."
"I don't know how this government could have acted faster," Gates said during a press briefing with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen. "There are just some certain facts of life."
Although the U.S. began mobilizing its relief efforts shortly after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake ravaged Haiti, a large portion of supplies slated to be delivered via-boat will not arrive until this weekend.
The defense secretary outlined a number of limitations, including the speed of the vessels, the small size of Haiti's airport and the collapse of the country's infrastructure.
According to both Gates and Mullen, using airdrops to provide necessary resources was rejected early-on in the planning stages. Gates noted that there were concerns that dropping supplies onto the distressed Caribbean nation could lead to riots. Thus far, according to Gates, there has been some level of scavenging for food and water, coupled with minor looting.
By Monday, Haiti is expected to have access to 9,000-10,000 U.S. troops, both on and off-shore. According to Mullen, there is still a possibility that more can be sent as details of the country's status develop.
"We are poised to do that," said Mullen. "[The U.S.] always has a ready brigade."
tagged 
Haiti, Haiti relief, Michel Mullen, Mullen, gates, robert gates in Frontpage 3, News/Commentary
Haiti, Haiti relief, Michel Mullen, Mullen, gates, robert gates in Frontpage 3, News/Commentary
Reader Comments (1)
I am furious that our govt has sent $100 million!!! We have people here with no homes, no heat, no food, sicknesses. But, ya lets ignore the ones that pay taxes and give to other countries. We go to war, blow up a country then give them billions to rebuild to attack us again. WAKE UP! Our rights get taken away but so does our money!!!!