I heard a report on NPR that triggered a cynical thought (one which may or may not have been an intended result of the way the story was reported). The report was entitled
Aid Agencies Organize to Avoid Wasting Resources and it first mentioned the UN's and the "Bush Core Group"'s efforts to provide aid. The rest of the story was about how establishing independent aid groups serves often wastes resources and slows responses, at least in the short run.
So, and this may just be too cynical to state, but is Bush using this tragedy to establish new ways of providing aid, in an attempt to undermine perhaps the most important (and maybe only non-dysfunctional) arms of the UN.
After all, most acknowledge that the policy arms of the UN are in need of reform, but I haven't heard much harsh criticism of their aid agencies. Thus, Bush can undermine the UN most effectively by showing that a looser coalition of states can be as functional, or more functional, in collecting aid and organizing relief. I am not opposed to this in theory, but this may be the wrong time to test it. Wait until after the crisis is over, then announce a new system.
I guess I'd like to know:
- Am I being too cynical? Would Bush & Co. really use this as an opportunity to change the way global aid is organized?
- Is there any discussion on this matter elsewhere that I missed?
- Is there any reason to believe this? I hate to read too much into the four countries that make up the "core group," or other public statements, but...