Summarize news accounts and op-ed pieces
concerning the
question:
Does any country, but especially the U.S.
gain diplomatic and political good will by providing tsunami relief aid?
By Jason Olson
A disaster,
especially one of the magnitude created by the December
Tsunami that ravaged several South Asian countries, always brings
world-wide
attention, not only to those who are on the receiving end of the
devastation,
but also to those who promise aid and relief to the devastated. Most
people
will describe a tsunami as a “catastrophe” or “tragedy” but some
foreign policy
experts are using the word, “opportunity”.
When countries
around the world increased their aid and
relief contributions, Taiwan
followed in suite by upping its pledge from an initial US$5 million to
US$50
million. The people of Taiwan,
perhaps inspired by its government’s lead, organized many local social
groups
to initiate private donations for tsunami relief. But, as indicated by Song Yann-huei of the Taipei
Times, the Taiwan government’s motivation for increasing the
disaster-relief
funding were, “the hope that Taiwan could be included in the list of
top 10
donor nations, to increase Taiwan's visibility in the international
community,
and at the same time increase other countries' willingness to support
Taiwan's
participation in the World Health Organization (WHO).” The country of Taiwan
gains diplomatic good will for relief efforts, but when political
motivations
are cited, “the compassion felt by the 23 million Taiwanese people may
be tainted
with hypocrisy”.
India
also stands to gain from the Tsunami Diplomacy. India
has been dealing with the aftermath of the Tsunami on its own shores as
well as
supplying aid to neighboring countries, all along while refusing
international
aid. The message to the international community is India
is an emerging power, not a helpless victim. New
Delhi
is seeking a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and
analysts
say India’s
response fits with diplomatic ambitions. Brahma Chellaney, a foreign
affairs
expert states that because India
has demonstrated its willingness to take on regional responsibilities, India’s
international and diplomatic profile is raised.
It appears that
the one who has the most, “opportunity”, to
gain political and diplomatic good will is the Unites States. Joe
Ciricione, a
senior Associate with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
believes
that the tsunami presents a “foreign policy opportunity” to reduce the
gap
between how Americans view themselves and how the world views us. The
most
devastated country by the tsunami is Indonesia.
Indonesia
is
also the world’s largest Muslim country and as reported in a survey in
2003,
83% of Indonesians view the U.S.
negatively. Since the arrival of the US
aid and relief efforts, the Jakarta Post states the Indonesians are
humbled by
the quick response and generosity of the U.S.
Even though, Indonesia
still fears that foreign powers, especially Australia
and the U.S.,
will swoop in on the oil and gas rich area of Aceh to stabilize a
secessionist
rebellion that has been slowly building for the past five decades. The
thing Indonesia
does not want is an American occupancy in Aceh.
Humanitarian aid
usually renders gratitude and diplomatic
good will. But at times it can cause resentment when the benefactor
becomes
overbearing.
Sources:
Taipei
Times: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2005/01/06/2003218257
Voices of America: http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-11-voa24.cfm
Foreign
Correspondent: http://www.bigeye.com/foreignc.htm
National Public
Radio: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4271212