Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA5210
2005-09-07 16:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TFUS01: TURKS RESPOND WITH COMPASSION AND

Tags:  AEMR EAID PREL TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

071621Z Sep 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005210 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR HURRICANE KATRINA TASK FORCE
DEPT PLEASE PASS DHS FOR FEMA/OIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL TU
SUBJECT: TFUS01: TURKS RESPOND WITH COMPASSION AND
GENEROSITY TO KATRINA

REF: A. STATE 163366


B. ANKARA 5193

C. STATE 162270

D. STATE 163278

E. STATE 163729

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005210

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR HURRICANE KATRINA TASK FORCE
DEPT PLEASE PASS DHS FOR FEMA/OIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL TU
SUBJECT: TFUS01: TURKS RESPOND WITH COMPASSION AND
GENEROSITY TO KATRINA

REF: A. STATE 163366


B. ANKARA 5193

C. STATE 162270

D. STATE 163278

E. STATE 163729


1. Summary: The GOT and Turkish citizens responded generously
and compassionately in the aftermath of Katrina, both by
publicly expressing condolences and by offering assistance to
the affected region. Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan rebutted
some of the commentary in the Islamist-oriented press by
noting that those who believe that God is causing Americans
to pay for their actions abroad are expressing ignorance.
Post issued a press release thanking the Turkish government
and people for their compassion and generosity and will
respond to individual letters of condolences. End Summary.

--------------
OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE
--------------


2. On September 5, ADCM spoke with MFA Deputy Director
General for International Political Organizations, Tunc
Ugdul. Ugdul confirmed the GOT offer passed by the Turkish
embassy to the Department on September 2 to provide a search
and rescue team. We understand that disaster relief agencies
are currently evaluating this offer. Per ref A, ADCM
communicated the list of immediately needed items to Ugdul by
phone on September 5 and sent a hard copy on September 6.


3. Separately, on September 5, Turkish businessman Hasan
Akincioglu offered 1.2 million bottles of US Army VETCOM
approved water to the relief efforts, which was transmitted
by Ref B and by e-mail to the Task Force. Comment: Post
believes that this offer of assistance deserves serious
consideration. As stated in ref B, the cargo is currently
located near Incirlik airbase. As Incirlik is a cargo hub
with both contract wide body jets coming from the US and
C-17s rotating in and out, it may be possible to take
advantage of a scheduled flight to the US to deliver this
assistance. End comment.


4. In addition to the search and rescue team offered by the
GOT, on September 7, the Nilufer Search and Rescue Team, a
Turkish NGO that operates in connection with the GOT Ministry
of Interior and has previously assisted with other
international disasters, contacted econoff to offer their
services and inquire about visa requirements for rescue
personnel. Econoff will coordinate with Task Force to

process this offer of assistance.


5. Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS) Head of International
Department Deniz Solen informed econoff that the TRCS is
working with the International Red Crescent Society to
determine what type of assistance, either cash or in-kind,
will be donated. TRCS is also accepting calls from Turkish
private citizens who wish to make a donation. International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Regional
Delegation Disaster Education Officer Ozlem Cook told econoff
that they are coordinating any assistance with the Red Cross
Office in Geneva. They are also providing interested callers
with the wire transfer information for the American Red
Cross,s Hurricane Katrina relief fund.

--------------
PUBLIC CONDOLENCES
--------------


6. Turkey,s political leaders have made public statements of
sympathy and solidarity in the aftermath of Katrina.
Rebutting some of the commentary in the Islamist-oriented
press, Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan noted in a September 6
speech that "Our God is compassionate. He is merciful.
Through his compassion, my God shows mercy to all mankind.
To say that our God has made certain people pay for their
actions in this way is a weakness ) it is an expression of
ignorance." Following the September 6 meeting of the Council
of Ministers, Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said "we share
the pain of the people of the United States, our friend and
ally. Our wishes, in the spirit of our customary solidarity
and cooperation, have been brought to the attention of the US
Administration." In addition to these public statements,
both the PM and Fon Min Gul conveyed letters of condolence to
their USG counterparts. President Sezer has also sent a
letter of condolence to President Bush. The Mission has
received numerous expressions of personal condolences.
--------------
EMBASSY RESPONSE
--------------


7. On September 7, the Turkish dailies widely carried the
embassy's press release in response to the numerous
condolences received. Begin text of press release: The
Embassy would like to express its sincere gratitude to the
Turkish authorities and the Turkish people for the solidarity
and concern they have shown in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina. We greatly appreciate the public statements of
sympathy and support made by Turkey,s leaders in the wake of
this terrible tragedy, and we are grateful for Turkey,s
generous offer of assistance for the relief effort. Many
non-governmental organizations and private Turkish citizens
have also come forward to offer contributions for Americans
in their time of need, and to express their condolences for
those who have suffered. We are humbled by this sincere
desire to help those who have been uprooted in the disaster,
and the outpouring of concern by the citizens of Turkey. The
messages of support coming from Turkey, our friend and ally,
have been heard and greatly appreciated by the US Government
and the American people. End text.


8. Embassy and Consulates will respond to personal letters of
condolence.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


9. PM Erdogan plans to visit the US the week of September 12
to participate in the UNGA opening meetings. There is
speculation (at this point unconfirmed) that he may try to
visit the affected area during that visit. Post will
continue to monitor Turkey's response to Katrina. End comment.

--------------
POST POC
--------------


10. Post POC is Economic Officer Rebecca Patrick (x.2255 or
patrickrk@state.gov).
MCELDOWNEY