HONG KONG: After years of praise for its humanitarian efforts in Asia, the United States faces resentment from Asian Muslims, angry about a string of controversies in Afghanistan and Iraq.
As resentment grows, critics are asking whether Washington’s eagerness to offer quake relief in Indonesia is geared more towards improving America’s tarnished image than it is to bringing relief to stricken communities.
From the swift deployment of military manpower after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, to the building of a US Marine field hospital in Indonesia’s quake-battered Java, Americans have been hailed as saviours in the region.
But confidence in US efforts in Asian Muslim countries was undermined last week when a US military truck ploughed into civilian cars, sparking rioting in Kabul. About 20 people were killed in the crash and subsequent rampaging.
The crash and reports of US gunfire intensified resentment among Muslims still seething over allegations that 24 civilians were killed in November by US troops during an attack in the Iraqi town of Hidatha.
“I think the Americans have cheated the Afghans. I would never accept the concept that they’re here to help us,” said Ashoob Amin, an Afghan government employee.
“They’re here to help themselves and in my opinion it’s an occupation force.”
Matin Rahimi, an employee of Afghanistan’s national Airline Ariana, pulls no punches in his assessment.
“I don’t like Americans. They’re arrogant, they’re selfish and they’re acting in a manner quite opposite of our traditions,” Rahimi said.
“Who says they’re here to help us? I don’t accept it.”
Washington is keen to maintain the support of moderate Muslims throughout Asia as it continues its so-called war on terrorism.
It relies on help from Muslim countries like Indonesia and Malaysia to track down Asia-based Islamic extremists having links with Sept 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda organisation.
But where a year ago US efforts would have been welcomed with open arms, there is now cynicism among locals.
In the Philippines, where US troops are aiding a local operation to quell Islamic militant attacks in the south, the recent arrival of an American medical ship offering aid to the poor is seen by some as a ploy to win local Muslim support.
Public criticism has been so strong that the ship’s captain Bradley Martin has been forced to publicly defend his presence there.
“It’s a humanitarian mission and nothing else,” Bradley insisted to AFP.
Geopolitical risk analyst Bob Broadfoot said the US efforts were indeed designed to win over Asian Muslims, but stressed there was nothing cynical about their agenda.
“It’s the stated policy of the US to offer humanitarian help to these people,” said Broadfoot, a Hong Kong-based analyst with Political, Economic Risk Consultancy.
“In particular, the US does not want to lose Indonesia as an ally — it is a vitally important country, not only to the US but also to the Western alliance,” he added.
He said such moves were not designed to win support for foreign policy.
“What the US is doing in the wake of the quake is in keeping with its policy of bringing humanitarian aid to stricken areas and also of engaging Indonesia to win the hearts and minds of its people,” he said.
In Indonesia, which is struggling to cope with helping thousands of survivors and rebuild destroyed homes after last month’s quake, the policy appears to be working.
“Well why not (allow Americans in), because we are expecting help from everybody,” said Sukasdi, 51, a policeman in Jati-Wornokromo village in the quake zone on the island of Java.
“So many homes are flattened but so far there isn’t any help.”—AFP
