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America rises to the challenge

There was a striking contrast between the initial American response to the tsunami catastrophe and that of the EU. Although President Bush came under fire for promising “only $35 million” (subsequently multiplied by 10), the more immediate US response was entirely practical. Two US Navy battle groups were sent from Hong Kong and Guam, fully equipped to mount a major disaster-relief operation.

These units include scores of helicopters, some of which were already yesterday searching for survivors, and landing craft capable of delivering huge quantities of supplies, particularly food and fresh water, directly to otherwise inaccessible beaches.

A fleet of the giant C-130 transport aircraft has already landed relief supplies, including 80,000 body bags, in Sumatra and Thailand. Thousands of military personnel, medical specialists among them, are on their way to Thailand, Sri Lanka and India to assist in relief operations.

Meanwhile the EU, which initially promised 3 million euros and “a visit to the areas affected… in the near future” by Louis Michel, the commissioner for humanitarian aid, plans this week to host a “donors’ conference” in Brussels to discuss what to do next. As Dr Richard North observed in his daily EU commentary (www.eureferendum. blogspot.com), “the caterers are on high alert”.