TFUS01: EGYPT'S DONATION TO KATRINA RELIEF ON THE

UNCLAS CAIRO 006914 SIPDIS STATE PASS USAID/OFDA DHS FOR FEMA/OIA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON EFIN AEMR KPAO AMGT US EG SUBJECT: TFUS01: EGYPT'S DONATION TO KATRINA RELIEF ON THE WAY - CLEARANCE NEEDED REF: A. STATE 163278 ¶B. STATE 163366 ¶1. This is an action request. Please see paragraphs two and four. ¶2. The Government of Egypt (GOE) has dispatched to Little Rock two Egyptian C-130 aircraft containing Katrina relief, including 3,000 blankets, 1.1 tons of jam, and 1.3 tons of powdered milk. Post requests that Task Force ensure that OFDA/FEMA approve the donation and that clearances are granted for the aircraft to land on Sept. 8. ¶3. The Egyptian Defense Attache in Washington has requested diplomatic clearance for the two C-130s containing the first load of supplies, described in para two, to land in Little Rock. Although the aircraft are scheduled to arrive on Sept. 8 at 1630Z hours, landing clearances have not yet been received. The total GOE donation for Katrina victims will include seven tons of bottled water, 20,000 blankets, 25 tons of macaroni, 1.1 tons of jam, 8.3 tons of powdered milk, 10 tons of medical supplies, and up to 10,000 sets of underwear. ¶4. Post also requests Task Force assistance with obtaining OFDA/FEMA acceptance of the remainder of the GOE donation, which will be ferried to the U.S. via a U.S. military C-17 that will be returning to the U.S. on Sept. 10. This portion of the donation will include seven tons of bottled water, seven tons of powdered milk, 17,000 blankets, up to 10,000 sets of underwear, 10 tons of medical supplies, and 25 tons of macaroni. ¶5. This U.S. military C-17 is scheduled to depart Cairo on Sept. 10 empty (after having unloaded its cargo in support of operation Bright Star). Post plans to transport the remainder of the GOE Katrina donation to the U.S. on this C-17. Please provide acceptance of the full donation and flight clearances for this delivery as soon as possible. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. RICCIARDONE