Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-01-12-Speech-3-162"
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"en.20050112.9.3-162"2
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"Mr President, the huge extent of the disaster and destruction caused the tsunami, as well as its emotional and physical impact, will be felt among the victims for years to come. I would congratulate the Commission and Council on their rapid and sufficient response immediately following the disaster and on the involvement they have displayed. Now, a few weeks down the line, we must prepare one of the most extensive reconstruction programmes ever. My main concern is that we should prevent past mistakes from being repeated.
In any event, aid to Asia should not be at the expense of relief to other poverty-stricken areas such as Africa. The world’s attention is on Asia, with good reason, but tomorrow too, some 20 000 people will die again of poverty-related illnesses, such as HIV, aids, malaria and tuberculosis. Tomorrow too, many more people will die or be forced to flee their homes, for example in Darfur, Sudan and elsewhere. These people should not be the victims of the useful and generous campaigns for Asia.
Another point is how we as Europe can ensure that aid ends up where it is intended, namely with the victims and not, therefore, with dubious or criminal organisations, or in the pockets of corrupt officials. Sound coordination is an absolute condition, and the UN has an important role to play in this. I am pleased that, in Jakarta, agreements to this effect have been reached, and they need to be observed.
It is vital that we should pull out all the stops to prevent criminal organisations from being able to make an easy profit from the chaos by engaging in looting, child trafficking or whatever. This is where international cooperation is of huge importance. It is also important, as has been stated before, that an early warning system for seaquakes be put in place.
In short, I hope that the disaster will be not only a unique example of financial solidarity, but also a unique example in terms of showing how aid programmes should be implemented. Not only should we give with a heart, as somebody said, but also with our brains."@en1
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