TURKISH FOOD AID TO GEORGIA

UNCLAS ANKARA 007506 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: GG PREL TU SUBJECT: TURKISH FOOD AID TO GEORGIA (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. ¶1. (SBU) Turkish MFA Caucasus Department Head Murat Adali told poloff on December 8 that Turkey would provide humanitarian aid to Georgia in the form of food. According to Adali, Georgian Finance Minister Nogaideli had been in contact with the GOT and indicated that Georgia's most urgent need was food for the military and other state institutions, including schools and jails. ¶2. (SBU) Adali said the Turkish military and Red Crescent were collecting food; Adali said the GOT was working from a list of 26 food items requested by the GOG. Turkey will also transport the food to Georgia. The GOG said it needed one month's supply of food, which it estimated would cost approximately USD 1 million. Adali speculated that the GOT would supply the entire month's amount requested by the GOG. EDELMAN