ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THAILAND

UNCLAS BANGKOK 005705 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL US TH SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THAILAND FOR HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF REF: (A) STATE 163409 (B) STATE 163366 ¶1. This is an action request. Please see para 3. ¶2. Per ref. A Embassy notified RTG MFA America and South Pacific Affairs Department of U.S. acceptance and thanks for Thai offer of blankets, canned fish and rice for Hurricane Katrina relief on September 6. Embassy had earlier discussed priority areas for assistance with MFA America and South Pacific Affairs Department Director General Nongnuth Phetcharatana. Embassy also passed to the MFA full list of needed items per ref. B. ¶3. RTG officials notified Embassy on September 6 that the assistance will be brought to the US on the Prime Minister's aircraft when he comes to the U.S. via Houston on September ¶10. Post will provide further information as this becomes available. Action request: Please advise whether the PM may unload the cargo in Houston and provide a POC for the delivery of assistance as soon as possible. 4 Embassy Hurricane Katrina relief point of contact is Political Officer James Cole (O) 66-2-205-4816, (H) 66-2-287-4652, (C) 66-1-868-0498 (e-mail) Colejf@state.gov. ¶5. RTG MFA Katrina relief point of contact is the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs 66-2-643-5121/2 Director K. Amornsate 66-2-643-5120; Counselor Paisit Boonparlit 66-2-643-5122; First Secretary Chakkrid Kraichaiwang 66-2-643-5121. All speak English. ARVIZU