BRAZILIAN ENGAGEMENT IN TSUNAMI RELIEF, UNOCHA

UNCLAS BRASILIA 000075

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID AEMR PGOV BR
SUBJECT: BRAZILIAN ENGAGEMENT IN TSUNAMI RELIEF, UNOCHA
DONOR CONFERENCE

REF: STATE 3792


1. According to Ministry of External Relations (MRE),South
and East Asia Division Chief Edson Duarte, the Brazilian
delegation to the UNOCHA Tsunami Donors Conference will be
led by the Institutional Security (GSI) chief, General Jorge
Armando Felix. (The GSI is located within the Presidency;
General Felix serves as the senior intelligence advisor to
the President.) MRE's Head of the Asia and Oceania
Department (equivalent to EAP and SA),Ambassador Edmundo
Sussumu Fujita, will represent the Foreign Ministry in
Geneva. Duarte explained that President Lula is meeting
today with key advisors to determine Brazil's medium-term
assistance package for the affected region; the GOB should be
in a position to present this package at the Conference.
Meanwhile, Duarte himself, along with representatives from
key GOB ministries such as Health, Agriculture, and Defense,
depart via GOB aircraft this weekend on a fact finding
mission to Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.


2. Duarte confirmed that Brazil has already sent two planes
with a total of 76 tons of water, medicine, and foodstuff to
the region and will continue to deliver these items on an
immediate basis. Varig has offered one aircraft, at cost, to
help the GOB deliver supplies. Brazil has not yet determined
its overall financial commitment for relief and assistance
efforts.

Danilovich