Racism, political and bureaucratic bungling exposed as death toll rises

In the wake of the tragic tsunamis that have killed as many as 150,000 people in Asia, a number of interesting allegations have arisen that question the wests commitment to caring about poor non-white nations in the throes of natural disasters, the ineptitude and irresponsible behaviour of governments, and raising questions about the responsibility of the actions of rich nations in the development of conditions that caused or exacerbated this disaster.

* Last week allegations were made that the US knew about the impending tsunamis but did not tell the affected nations because they were 'not part of the tsunami warning network', and when they did notify them it was by email. It is alleged they notified their Diego Garcia US military about 1,000 miles south of India, but not the civilian population in India [India Indymedia][Melbourne Indymedia]
* In the Maldives where 42 islands were flattened by the tsunami, President Maumoon Gayyoom, who knew in advance of the impending disaster, fled to deep water on his yacht without warning the Maldivean people [Melbourne Indymedia]