U.S. accepting international help with Gulf oil spill

From June 29, 2010: U.S. accepting international help with Gulf oil spill

Note - the assistance has been offered since day 1. At the date of this article, 71 days had passed, and the US finally accepts this assitance. Just a bit too late for the affected coast lines.

The State Department says 12 countries and international organizations are helping with the Gulf oil disaster. The particulars of the help are being worked out.

The only nation identified was Japan, which is providing two high-speed skimmers and fire-containment boom.

The Associated Press reports that more than 30 countries and international organizations have offered help, but that the State Department did not explain why some offers were turned down.

The news comes as cleanup ships have been by idled by Tropical Storm Alex, which is headed toward Texas.