Iran offers old foe help over Katrina
04 Sep 2005 11:00:38 GMT

Source: Reuters

TEHRAN, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Iran on Sunday offered to send humanitarian aid
to victims of hurricane Katrina, becoming the latest U.S. foe to extend
assistance to the country often dubbed the "Great Satan" in the Islamic
republic.

"The victims have complained about the lack of timely assistance and we
are prepared to send our contributions to the people through the Red
Crescent," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi.

Speaking at a weekly news conference, Asefi noted that Iran, which
Washington has dubbed an "axis of evil" member and accuses of developing
nuclear weapons and sponsoring terrorism, had been among the first
countries to send condolences after Katrina hit.

"If Iran's help is needed and requested we'd respond to the call, however
we should make sure first that there is such a request," he said.

Washington has given humanitarian aid to Iran in the past when natural
disasters, such as earthquakes, have struck the Islamic republic.

Iranian media have devoted extensive coverage to the aftermath of Katrina
with many newspapers revelling in criticism of U.S. President George W.
Bush's handling of the relief effort.

Fellow "axis of evil" member North Korea, as well as staunch U.S. critics
Cuba and Venezuela, have also offered to send help to the victims of
Katrina.

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