US Agencies Responsible for World Tragedies

While glancing through various news headlines, I found this article from the CNN Netscape News website about how scientists are puzzled that the recent earthquake in Indonesia did not cause a tsunami similar to the once observed after the December 26th earthquake.

While reading the article, I found this part interesting, concerning the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii:

"The warning center, established in 1949, came under heavy criticism following the December tsunami for not being more aggressive about warning Asian nations and possibly saving thousands of lives.

Earlier this month, a group of 58 European tsunami survivors and relatives of victims sued NOAA and other agencies, alleging the center did not do enough to warn people about the disaster."

Huh? Did I read that right? Actually, from the Tsunami Center's website, it states:

"...the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Ewa Beach, Hawai`i, provides warnings for teletsunamis to most countries in the Pacific Basin as well as to Hawai`i and all other US interests in the Pacific..."

Is it really true that a US government agency whose mission, budget, and abilities are clearly limited is responsible for the deaths of tourists in Indonesia? Why is it that America is expected to provide billions of dollars and innumerable aide to developing nations and nations who experience natural disasters, but is forbidden by the international community to act in the interests of oppressed people and nations? Why is the US criticized for playing the role of "World Police" but is expected to be the "World Scapegoat" and the "World's Piggybank?"