TALKING POINTS FOR SUPPORT OF EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS:
 

HUMANITARIAN REASONS TO SUPPORT THE VICTIMS:  

A)     United States has been the main Country at the fore front of this disaster support. Our helicopters, funds and personnel have already helped saves thousands of lives. Unfortunately the magnitude of the disaster and the impending winter, very large group of displaced people will not be able to sustain support for the immediate needs at this time.

B)     Supporting humans who are suffering is the American way. Our commitment to help and support has made us the best and the greatest nation in the world. We must continue to build on our life long tradition and value.

C)     We are the sole world power and the wealthiest nation in the world. This status comes with some very important responsibilities and expectations. We must live up to the challenge that we have stood for in the past and must continue to do so. We are fully equipped and capable of helping significantly at this time.

D)     Pakistan has been our number one ally in the war on terror. The country has already suffered significantly at many levels. These include economically because of the very large number of Afghan refugee problem in the aftermath of the Afghan war, and reduced investments. This was followed by multiple terrorist attacks on the country because of their unstinted cooperation in the war on terror. Pakistan is probably the second Country who has lost soldiers in the war on terror after United States.  This level of Pakistan’s sacrifices and support do come with an expectation of full and complete support for the people.

E)      When Katrina affected us, the people of Pakistan with an estimated per capita income of $652, raised over 1.5 Million US dollars to help support the people of New Orleans. They felt that since they were not in the disaster zone, they owed it to the people of United States to help in whatever capacity that they could. We must follow suit.

F)      The logistic support that is needed is possible because of the deployed US resources in the region. A coordinated plan can be evaluated to help the situation at the logistical support at this time.    

G)     We have been leaders in many more ways. Our efforts usually are followed by many others across the globe that would also join in with us to pitch in and do their share. We may even have to issue an official statement requesting other countries of the world to help.

H)     Timing is of essence at this time. As the UN has suggested that delay in help will equate in numerous unnecessary deaths. It would be less appealing if the US reacted after more deaths occurred due to less that adequate participation at this time.
 

SUPPORT AS PART OF THE WAR ON TERROR:  

A)    Appropriate support at this time and actions to continue to help strengthen Pakistan’s economy would be critical. Economically steady Pakistan is required for the stability of the entire volatile region and the regional and ultimately improved US economy.

B)     It is already been described that some of the minor extreme elements in the society have already started recruitment of people for their agendas and are trying to establish institutions which propagate their perspectives on hatred.

C)    Western abandonment in times of need has been a failed US policy in the immediate aftermath of the Soviet war which subsequently resulted in situations that led the world to deal with the menace of Taliban. We are faced with a similar but a much larger challenge and we have been granted a very important opportunity to not let the same thing happen again, but actually take actions which would help foster mutual respect and trust amongst the people of the area and region for the American people.

D)    US efforts in the region would further educate the rest of the Muslim majority nations that US is a true friend of all their friends and does not have a partial policy based on the religious make up the allied Country.

E)     According to experts, if one has gone through too much emotional pain, and they loose the ability to feel sorry for someone. If this large population is not appropriately rehabilitated and not taken care of, these people could be harmful for the region and our interests there. 

F)     The region directly affected by the disaster has been the one traditionally not accessible and friendly for the United States because of the influence of foreign elements there. We can effectively negate this by our meaningful presence, and support to win the hearts and minds of the people.

G)    Having a hand in rebuilding these areas could provide an added benefit of better understanding of the region and people, ensure that our efforts in creating a new, better infrastructure including that of education would lead to a new, better and supportive forward thinking society.  

SUPPORT FOR IMPROVING US MAGE WITHIN THE MUSLIM WORLD: 

A)    It is well known that the recent multiple events have led to an image issue for United States in the Countries predominantly Muslim countries. This is a well known enough fact that US has set up a special position of U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Karen Hughes. The current support of the disaster to the fullest and expected levels would result in a significant easing of the job of Ms Hughes.

B)     Many Muslim countries who are not as friendly with US have suggested that US is only a friend when in need. We must do whatever it takes to prove them wrong, and reduce their influence on the rest of the Muslim world.

C)    We already know that the Pakistan Army and the active community members in Pakistan are the main people who are handing this very large tragedy. Our presence there and direct help would increase the sense of support and well being that the Pakistani army and the active community members feel towards United States.
 

OTHER REASONS:  

A)    We have learned too well that natural disasters are not restricted to any one area, nation or people, and can affect anyone at any time. By keeping our own professionals involved we can keep them focused and better experienced about he management and rebuilding efforts, we are educating them to be better trained and equipped should there be a potential of us facing a similar disaster- disaster preparedness.

B)     It is unfortunate that a disaster of this caliber is what it took people of Pakistan and India to come together and open the Kashmir border closed for over almost sixty years. Our presence and close coordination and work with our two important friends may lead to a breakthrough of peace and solutions which would be acceptable to all people involved.

C)    There are already laws in place with do give significant tax benefits to large donors, corporations and foundations to support disasters. This would potently help create a win-win strategy fro them as well.

D)    This is in accordance with our foreign policy.

E)     We have been blessed with leaders like President Bush Sr. and President Bill Clinton, and others like Colin Powell, who have been able to harness the positive energy in the communities and help sooth the pain of such large disasters at home and abroad. They have shown that it can be done time and again and the time has come again…