Ethiopia famine aid 'spent on weapons'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8535189.stm

The BBC has evidence that millions of dollars, earmarked for victims of the Ethiopian famine of 1984-85, went to buy weapons. The investigation found claims that a rebel movement in Ethiopia diverted the aid to fund its attempt to overthrow the government of the time.
Rebel soldiers said they posed as merchants as "a trick for the NGOs".
Documents released by the CIA confirmed aid was "almost certainly being diverted for military purposes".

Disgusting! :mad:

Doc

Do you work for the BBC website or something?

Doc

Doc wrote: »

Do you work for the BBC website or something?

nah! I'm bored and this is boreds!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Yup, they definately have enough evidence to invade them...

kumate_champ07

this is old news, sure who do you think makes the money from the weapons they buy?

kumate_champ07

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

this is old news, sure who do you think makes the money from the weapons they buy?

Yep, it's old news. but many are simply unaware of this and are also unaware of the widespread corruption in these places.

kumate_champ07

Deleted User wrote: »

Yep, it's old news. but many are simply unaware of this and are also unaware of the widespread corruption in these places.

the problem is that Africa has many tribes at constant war, Russia, China, USA and the Uk have no problem selling them weapons to wipe each other out.

most of the countries/states dont have stable governments, its just a huge mess. I dont think anyone throws money at Africa anymore, theres more types of community development going on so that the people in Africa can be self sufficient. the days of writing cheques are over

FlutterinBantam

Deleted User wrote: »

Yep, it's old news. but many are simply unaware of this and are also unaware of the widespread corruption in these places.

Heard that on R4 this morning Dolan.

You are right to make people aware of where their donations might go.

The second in command admitted this in an interview this morning.

Well done DB for highlighting these little nuggets which escape the less attentive and idealistic poster.

You know the kind, see no wrong in anyone.

BaconZombie

Welcome to the world of charity's.....

Deleted User wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8535189.stm



Disgusting! :mad:

Pompey Magnus

I never give to charity, this makes me feel better knowing that I am saving lives through my inaction. I better get a "Thank You" card from Ethiopia now.

WindSock

Deleted User wrote: »

nah! I'm bored and this is boreds!

No, I'm boreds! (formally)

WindSock

Does this mean Geldof & Bono can be done for war crimes?

Pyr0

I wonder how many people would still give to charity if they knew the money was going towards funding weapon purchases, I wouldn't be surprised if the number was fairly high.

chin_grin

Another effing news thread. And I've done it myself.

• OP posts article.
• Waits for responses.
• Lurks moar.
• Gets locked after a page or two or when Godwins Law comes to play.

So in the spirit that is this thread. I'm really not surprised. In the least. So what can we do about it? Nothing? Fly over and take the guns from them? Oooh I know, stop giving to charities!

*This post has been brought to you by the 'kneejerk reaction'.

prinz

Old news tbh. People have known about that for years.

Hagar

That's nothing, hundred of thousands of Euros that should be spent on Irish hospitals will be spent flying Irish politicians all over the world for St. Patricks Day.

ejmaztec

prinz wrote: »

Old news tbh. People have known about that for years.

Yes, ancient news.

Another one from that time was that, when the world was collecting for food aid, an Ethiopian government plane was at Heathrow loading up a consignment of new army uniforms and a sh1t-load of whisky.

ItsAWindUp

Another reason why we shouldn't give them money, give them food, education, and the means to grow both food and their economy, but don't throw money at them.

hooradiation

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Heard that on R4 this morning Dolan.

You are right to make people aware of where their donations might go.

The second in command admitted this in an interview this morning.

Well done DB for highlighting these little nuggets which escape the less attentive and idealistic poster.

You know the kind, see no wrong in anyone.

Yeah, because this is kind of thing is completely unknown and nothing has changed in the past 26 years.

*slowclap*

CreepingDeath

Ah sure the weapons can help keep the population numbers in check.
It's just another way to tackle the problem of too many mouths and not enough food.

pickarooney

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Ah sure the weapons can help keep the population numbers in check.
It's just another way to tackle the problem of too many mouths and not enough food.

I was going to post that, but couldn't be arsed trying to explain it to the back jumper monkeys, so good luck with that.

walshb

I doubt Geldof gives a flying **** either way. It was just something that he got into that generated a lot of publicity for him and the rest of the so called caring. Ethiopia and many of these other countries have been ravaged by war for so long. They are too dependent on foreign aid, and the West are the ones keeping it like this. It's a massive business with so many egos on the line.

ScumLord

Every time we supposedly try to help Africa it goes horribly wrong. Probably because in general we don't give two flying ****s about them. If we can't get anything out of them we dismiss them with AID while taking all their own food for our own consumption.


I think it's time the world just left the continent of Africa alone and stop interfering in the assumption we're better than them and have the right to tell them what to do. It has to be the most abused continent on the planet.

walshb

ScumLord wrote: »

Every time we supposedly try to help Africa it goes horribly wrong. Probably because in general we don't give two flying ****s about them. If we can't get anything out of them we dismiss them with AID while taking all their own food for our own consumption.


I think it's time the world just left the continent of Africa alone and stop interfering in the assumption we're better than them and have the right to tell them what to do. It has to be the most abused continent on the planet.

The problem is we won't ****ing leave them alone and we are trying to take over.
You only have to look at the Irish missions who went all over the world and robbed these people of their identity and their beliefs and their religion, all to promote whatever religion they (missions) aspired to. This has led to untold misery, wars and constant battle.

The same Irish missions, nuns and priests, who were here abusing and beating children....

prinz

walshb wrote: »

The same Irish missions, nuns and priests, who were here abusing and beating children....

The problems in Africa has nothing to do with whether there were missionaries or not, it has to do with greed, power, money and a total lack of respect for humanity etc in much of sub-Saharan Africa.

IrishManSaipan

walshb wrote: »

The problem is we won't ****ing leave them alone and we are trying to take over.
You only have to look at the Irish missions who went all over the world and robbed these people of their identity and their beliefs and their religion, all to promote whatever religion they (missions) aspired to. This has led to untold misery, wars and constant battle.

I was amazed watching the documentary on RTE last night about the Irish missionaries around the world and having heard a Nigerian sociologist complain that the Irish missionaries were invaders, that the hospitals and schools were never asked for by the natives who had been living there for thousands of years without any Western involvement.

IrishManSaipan

prinz wrote: »

The problems in Africa has nothing to do with whether there were missionaries or not, it has to do with greed, power, money and a total lack of respect for humanity etc in much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Its much easier to blame the missionaries who build much needed schools and hospitals.

walshb

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

I was amazed watching the documentary on RTE last night about the Irish missionaries around the world and having heard a Nigerian sociologist complain that the Irish missionaries were invaders, that the hospitals and schools were never asked for by the natives who had been living there for thousands of years without any Western involvement.

Straight from the ****ing horses mouth. This is the whole point; it is not Africans who are begging and asking for this help/interference. It is the West going out of their way to help and meddle and interfere. Jeez, you cannot open a paper, magazine, turn on the tv, radio now without some foreign charity begging for money for Africa. This cannot work. We are saturated with these charities, and every day, there seems to be a new one:rolleyes:

walshb

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

Its much easier to blame the missionaries who build much needed schools and hospitals.

Oh, but aren't you forgetting the harm they are causing too? Brainwashing, spreading their religion etc etc. This is what has led to the continent being in complete war for so long.

Leave the freaking African people alone, they are a powerful and resourceful people.

IrishManSaipan

walshb wrote: »

Straight from the ****ing horses mouth. This is the whole point; it is not Africans who are begging and asking for this help/interference. It is the West going out of their way to help and meddle and interfere. Jeez, you cannot open a paper, magazine, turn on the tv, radio now without some foreign charity begging for money for Africa. This cannot work. We are saturated with these charities, and every day, there seems to be a new one:rolleyes:

If the west completely pulled out of Africa, million upon millions of people will die. Thats the harsh reality.

prinz

walshb wrote: »

Oh, but aren't you forgetting the harm they are causing too? Brainwashing, spreading their religion etc etc. This is what has led to the continent being in complete war for so long..

Er no, the cause of the vast majority of Africa's wars is ethnicity and sheer greed.

IrishManSaipan

walshb wrote: »

Oh, but aren't you forgetting the harm they are causing too? Brainwashing, spreading their religion etc etc. This is what has led to the continent being in complete war for so long.

The Nigerian claimed the missionaries were invaders. "*Anybody who comes to another country, or culture, uninvited, with a certain idea of themselves, and no will to integrate is a coloniser and is unwelcome". Some of the Prime Ministers interviewed by RTE were more unequivocal in their praise, claiming the missionaries carried out essential work.





*The irony was lost on him

walshb

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

If the west completely pulled out of Africa, million upon millions of people will die. Thats the harsh reality.

How do you know?

Anyway, yes, maybe they need help, but it's the intensity and LEVEL of help/interference that is the issue. They are doing harm as well as good, due to the dictating, exploiting etc. Both sides are the problem, it is far from just the Africans.

I mean, who asked all theses foreign charities and missions to go over there? It wasn't the African people, so who was it? Let the African people be in charge of their destiny. I am sick and tired hearing about the sob stories and sad tales from westerners, painting the Africans as so sad, unfortunate, helpless, useless etc etc. It's damn well insulting to these people. So, why are they doing it? Is it so that they can continue the racket/business?

walshb

prinz wrote: »

Er no, the cause of the vast majority of Africa's wars is ethnicity and sheer greed.

Nothing to do with religion, division? C'mon, most, if not all wars are down to two things, land&religion

IrishManSaipan

walshb wrote: »

Nothing to do with religion, division? C'mon, most, if not all wars are down to two things, land&religion

Which war are we talking about here now?

Its lazy at best to claim africas ills stem from war and religion. Meanwhile, the elephant in the room begins to get restless......

Teddy Chips

Deleted User wrote: »

Yep, it's old news. but many are simply unaware of this and are also unaware of the widespread corruption in these places.

Lol, naive much? Everyone is aware of the corrupt regimes that exist in many African countries. It's only going to get worse as they seek to exploit their oil resources.

IrishManSaipan

walshb wrote: »

I mean, who asked all theses foreign charities and missions to go over there? It wasn't the African people, so who was it? Let the African people be in charge of their destiny. I am sick and tired hearing about the sob stories and sad tales from westerners, painting the Africans as so sad, unfortunate, helpless, useless etc etc. It's damn well insulting to these people. So, why are they doing it? Is it so that they can continue the racket/business?

Who are we talking about here, the CEOs of the charities, Bono and his ilk, or the average aid worker who gets paid very little?

Can you make yourself a bit more clearer?

IrishManSaipan

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

The Nigerian claimed the missionaries were invaders. "*Anybody who comes to another country, or culture, uninvited, with a certain idea of themselves, and no will to integrate is a coloniser and is unwelcome". Some of the Prime Ministers interviewed by RTE were more unequivocal in their praise, claiming the missionaries carried out essential work.





*The irony was lost on him

And there's my laugh a day :pac:

IrishManSaipan

Deleted User wrote: »

And there's my laugh a day :pac:

It will be on the RTE media player later on. Thats YouTube material that.

Nodin

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

The Nigerian (.....)

Did a Nigerian run your cat over or something?

prinz

walshb wrote: »

Nothing to do with religion, division? C'mon, most, if not all wars are down to two things, land&religion

Could you point out which war going on in Africa at the moment or which noted African war of the past was due primarily to religion?

walshb wrote: »

How do you know?

The "west" pulled out of Africa so-to-speak before. Within no time they (some countries not all) were busy butchering each other.

Joey the lips

This happens in every country where aid is donated. Should it stop us trying to help those poor people.... No.

IrishManSaipan

Nodin wrote: »

Did a Nigerian run your cat over or something?

I never had a cat. My post was relevant to the current topic.

BigEejit

Nodin wrote: »

Did a Nigerian run your cat over or something?

A Corkman ran over my cat, can you get all PC on Cork people please?

Sir Gallagher

BigEejit wrote: »

A Corkman ran over my cat, can you get all PC on Cork people please?

You've just pulled out the 'PC card' therefore you lose the arguement.

IrishManSaipan

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

You've just pulled out the 'PC card' therefore you lose the arguement.

What arguement(sic)?

Nodin

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

What arguement(sic)?

The one you lost.

meathstevie

walshb wrote: »

I doubt Geldof gives a flying **** either way. It was just something that he got into that generated a lot of publicity for him and the rest of the so called caring. Ethiopia and many of these other countries have been ravaged by war for so long. They are too dependent on foreign aid, and the West are the ones keeping it like this. It's a massive business with so many egos on the line.

Ethiopia was not destroyed by the West or prevented from sorting out it's problems by the West. It was an ancient fairly well ran country happily destroyed by the friends of emancipation in Moscow and Havana if my recollection of history serves me right.

ScumLord

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

If the west completely pulled out of Africa, million upon millions of people will die. Thats the harsh reality.

Maybe if we stopped supplying them with guns that might change? It's funny that Africa was getting along fine before the west began interfering.

I'm sure your right though, millions would die, but then millions more will die as the conflicts drag out because we feed them the ammunition they need to go to war with each other.

Kivaro

Nodin wrote: »

Did a Nigerian run your cat over or something?

Rosanna has built-in radar that anytime anyone mentions Nigeria/Nigerian, she swoops down to protect their poor souls. Jeez, I'd love to have a job that gives me so much spare time to scour bulletin boards like that.

IrishManSaipan

ScumLord wrote: »

but then millions more will die as the conflicts drag out because we feed them the ammunition they need to go to war with each other.

What specific conflict are you talking about?

You can purchase an AK-47 for less than 10 euro in places like Uganda. Guns and ammunition are plentiful. Schools and hospitals are not. If the west pulled all aid, what do you think would happen?