[lbo-talk] The perversion of humanitarian activities

[Michael Perelman]

The United States has a long history of using humanitarian ventures as a 
cover for promoting its own self-interest. Here is an example I found 
from the early 20th century regarding Herbert Hoover's relief work 
following World War I.

Andelman, David A. 2008. A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the 
Price We Pay Today (New York: J. Wiley).

31: "Colonel Edward House recognized that the peace was likely to be won 
by the power that had the best understanding of the situation on the 
ground of each of the territories that the delegates were about to carve 
up and remodel. So in mid-November House and Van Deman hit on an 
original approach to the rapid establishment of an effective spy network 
throughout Europe. Van Deman described it in his own words: "It will be 
remembered at the time Herbert Hoover had been given charge of providing 
food and relief for certain devastated sections of Europe. We desired to 
send with Mr. Hoover's workers going into those areas certain 
intelligence agents who were familiar with the country, but to this Mr. 
Hoover violently objected."

More at

http://michaelperelman.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/the-perversion-of-humanitarian-activities/
-- 

Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
Chico, CA 95929
530-898-5321
fax 530-898-5901
www.michaelperelman.wordpress.com