TFUS01: PARAGUAY: ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE OFFER FOR

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001169 SIPDIS STATE FOR TFUS01 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL US PA SUBJECT: TFUS01: PARAGUAY: ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE OFFER FOR HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF REF: A. ASUNCION 1110 ¶B. ASUNCION 1129 ¶C. ASUNCION 1131 ¶D. ASUNCION 1139 ¶E. STATE 165348 ¶1. On 9/12 Post received the following additional offers of assistance for Hurricane relief efforts: -- Anibal Valiente, president of the Association of Local Employees at Post, announced that his organization would like to assist with donations to the victims of the hurricane. Mr. Valiente noted that he is working with local employees to raise funds in order to make a cash donation via the Embassy. He also has offered his assistance to travel to the affected areas to assist where needed. Mr. Valiente holds a degree in Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, and has a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering. He is currently teaching a course in Sanitary Engineering at a local university and speaks fluent English. ¶3. Post thanked Mr. Valiente and his organization for their generous offer and advised him that unless instructed otherwise, we will provide him guidance per ref E how to donate funds once they become available. Separately, we told him that we would advise Washington of his offer for technical assistance and inform him when we receive a response. ¶4. Political Officer, Susan Sutter, is Embassy Asuncion,s Point of Contact on this matter. Her office phone number is 011-595-21-213-715, ext 2286; her cell phone number is 011-595-971-202-100; her email is sutterss@state.gov. KEANE