U.S. considering more aid

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

NEW YORK, FEB. 1. In expressing deep sorrow and anguish over the recent earthquake in Gujarat, leading members of the United States Congress are now exploring the possibility of boosting assistance for funding the reconstruction process in India.

The Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, Mr.Henry Hyde, and the Ranking Democrat, Mr. Tom Lantos, have written to the President, Mr. George W Bush, urging him to immediately dispatch a high-level delegation to survey first hand the extent of the damage and have also called on the President to come up with a substantial package of assistance to the victims. A move is also on in Capitol Hill to call for the lifting of sanctions against India.

``I am going to explore the possibilities of assisting India with emergency financial aid to the tune of $100 million for the reconstruction of Gujarat. I will begin consultations with my colleagues to see how this could be accomplished,'' the Democratic Congressman from New York, Mr.Gary Ackerman has said.

Mr. Ackerman, who was the floor manager in the House of Representatives during the debate on the Gujarat earthquake on Wednesday, referred to the fact that tens of thousands of people have died and that property damage is now put at over $5 billions. Asserting that the destruction was on a ``staggering scale,'' Mr. Ackerman remarked, ``Mere numbers cannot capture the extent of the devastation, nor the horror at the loss of live and loved ones.''

A bipartisan Resolution in the House expressing sympathy for the victims and banking for the ongoing relief was passed with overwhelming support. ``The physical destruction of Gujarat will not be erased for many years and the psychological scars may never be eliminated.

It is in this time of tragedy that we must stand by our friend India, and the Indian people and offer all we can to aid their efforts,'' said Mr. Jim McDermott, a Democrat from the State of Washington and one of the co- sponsors of the Resolution. A similar Resolution in the Senate is expected to be passed shortly.

Carey Foundation pledges $1 million

In what is the largest private sector commitment thus far for relief assistance to the Gujarat earthquake, the W. P. Carey Foundation has pledged $1 million. At a press conference here, Mr. William Polk Carey, Chairman of W. P. Carey and Co. LLC, handed over the cheque to the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma. Pending approval, the pledged funds are to be committed to various organisations including the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

The Chairman of the Foundation, Mr. Carey, spoke of his long interaction with India dating back to 1960 and hoped that larger foundations would come forward with such assistance. The long- term benefits to the U.S. were enormous, he said. In the Foundation's view, the U.S. as the world's most vocal democracy must make strides to further strengthen its ties with India.

``When we visited India last November we were most impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of its people and the untapped opportunities to provide long-term financing to Indian businesses. In the light of the horrific recent developments in the country however, we have decided to get involved in the relief effort. It is my sincere hope that other philanthropic institutions will also lend support and help ease the suffering of this earthquake's victims'', Mr. Carey said.

Asked where he would want the funds to be earmarked, Mr. Carey said India's needs at this stage were enormous and rebuilding would be costly. ``Money can't turn the clock back. It can be moderately helpful''.

``While the W.P. Carey Foundation has pledged funds for immediate relief, W. P. Carey International LLC maintains its plans to pursue long-term financing for Indian businesses and to invest in the economic infrastructure and future of India,'' a press release said.

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Section  : International
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