HURRICANE FORCE WINDS FLATTEN SLOVAK FORESTS, GOS

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 001064

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR OES, EUR/NCE, EUR/PPD AND EUR/ACE
DEPT PASS AID FOR EEE AND OSDA
AGRICULTURE PASS TO FOREST SERVICE
DEPT PASS EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSCA EAID AMGT KPAO LO SEVN
SUBJECT: HURRICANE FORCE WINDS FLATTEN SLOVAK FORESTS, GOS
SEEKS INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE



1. SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. ON NOVEMBER 19, THE WORST
WINDS IN 70 YEARS STRUCK SLOVAKIA'S HIGH TATRAS ALPINE
FOREST AREA, SNAPPING TREES LIKE TOOTHPICKS. AN AREA OF
APPROXIMATELY 250 SQUARE MILES WAS DEVASTATED, INCLUDING
LARGE SWATHS OF LAND WHERE NEARLY ALL TREES WERE DESTROYED.
ALTHOUGH ONLY TWO FATALITIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND MOST
BUILDINGS SURVIVED, CONSIDERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC
DAMAGE ARE LIKELY. GOS HAS SOUGHT INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
IN DEALING WITH THIS DISASTER, AND DONATIONS FROM
INTERNATIONAL AND PRIVATE DONORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED.
HOWEVER, THE SLOVAKS ARE NOT CERTAIN HOW TO PROCEED AND
WOULD LIKELY WELCOME ADVICE FROM U.S. EXPERTS. POST SEEKS
DEPT GUIDANCE ON TWO PROPOSED RESPONSES:

-- A USD 25,000 DONATION FROM THE AMBASSADOR'S
DISCRETIONARY EMERGENCY FUND, AND

-- A DVC CONFERENCE BETWEEN USG AND GOS OFFICIALS TO SHARE
U.S. EXPERIENCE AND SUGGESTIONS FROM SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

END SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST.


2. Winds of 100 mph destroyed a heavily forested area more
than 40 miles long and 6 miles wide in north-central
Slovakia. The Minister of Agriculture estimates that 2.5 to
3 million cubic meters of timber have fallen, equal to about
90 percent of Slovakia's yearly production of soft wood.
Large sections of electrical lines were completely
destroyed, but roads and buildings apparently survived
fairly well.


3. The GOS has called in the army to help remove debris and
requested financial assistance from the EU to help restore
the area. Businesses and local governments have also
donated funds to restore what had been one of Slovakia's
national treasures. The timing of the disaster is
especially difficult for the local economy, which is highly
dependent on tourism including skiing. Ecological damage is
expected to be exacerbated by run-off in the spring. We
request fiscal data to support a USD 25,000 pledge from the
Ambassador's discretionary emergency fund to contribute to
reconstruction activities.


4. Although Slovakia has been fortunate in avoiding an
immediate humanitarian disaster, many hardships are sure to
affect this region for the foreseeable future. However, at
this point the Slovaks aren't even sure what help they need
and what questions to ask in order to begin the recovery
effort. Post requests Dept seek advice from USG agencies
related to forestry, environmental protection and aid issues
to identify U.S. experts who could offer advice regarding
restoration efforts and potential long-term problems, and
where to start. Post would then place a formal request for
a DVC.
WEISER


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