From The President
When disaster strikes, like the 9.0-magnitude quake just off Indonesia and
its giant tsunami wave across a 12-nation arc of the Indian Ocean on 26 Dec.,
human need trumps politics. With over a million homeless and more than 100-thousand
dead, the response must be immediate. Alas, Canada appears limited to raising
cash, apparently more from its citizens than the government. The UN and aid
agencies say this is preferable as defining specific needs is difficult and
cash affords flexibility. From the perspective of viewing the pictures the
needs appear obvious, lots of everything, food, medicine, water, shelter to
name a few and as soon as possible, much faster than cash alone will allow.
While the DART may or may not be appropriate, there is the question of what
residual Canadian capabilities remain to allow the flexibility of response
to human disasters, both foreign and domestic. In this issue’s Sovereignty
and Air Mobility, BGen John Neroutsos writes that our Government
has failed to provide strategic airlift for our Air Force. Consequently, even
if our Forces had the wherewithal and troops, we would be hard-pressed to
participate beyond a few millions of dollars and – lip service. Sad. (signed)
… Ted Heath
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