Netherlands aid offers...

[Persepone]

"....Meanwhile, the Netherlands is dispatching a frigate to deliver relief supplies to the stricken area, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said on Friday. (Dateline on this story is 9/2/05.)

Frigate Hr.Ms. Van Amstel will depart shortly from the Netherlands Antilles and can be in position to offer assistance in four or five days.

The Netherlands has acted prior to receiving a request from the US authorities to ensure the help can be delivered quickly if and when it is asked for. "

This is an interesting and intelligent response. Note the "if and when the help is asked for..." But it looks as if they will be able to deliver aid quickly if and when it is officially requested by the US Government.

Another offer from The Netherland makes a lot of sense. Here's the story:
(dateline 9/1/05)

AMSTERDAM — The Netherlands has offered the US authorities the services of a dike inspection team to help combat the flooding in New Orleans.

The team is ready to leave for America if it is required, the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Waterways said on Thursday.

A quarter of the Netherlands' land area lies below sea level and the country has built up a reputation for water management due to the ongoing battle to keep the water at bay.

The officials are attached to the Ministry of Waterways and Public Works and have experience in dealing with burst embankments and flooding. Last year the Dutch town of Stein was flooded when a dike along a canal was
breached.

The US response to the offer was not known by Thursday afternoon.

France and Germany have also offered humanitarian assistance to the states in the US effected by Hurricane Katrina.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands expressed her condolences to US President George W. Bush about the damage and suffering caused by the hurricane, the government information service RVD said on Thursday.