U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUNAMI

UNCLAS KINGSTON 002147

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT)
DEPARTMENT FOR OES/OA (TIRPAK)
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD AND J7

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC TPHY EAID SENV JM KSCI
SUBJECT: U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUNAMI
WARNING SYSTEMS

REF: STATE 152264


1. On September 13, Poloff spoke with Claudia Barnes,
Director, International and Economic Affairs Department,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT),for a
response to reftel questions. Barnes said that tsunami
preparedness and the purchase of tsunami warning system (TWS)
equipment are both of concern to the GOJ, which has not
purchased nor received assistance to purchase such equipment.
She said that the issue has been discussed by the GOJ's
National Council on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management, which
is chaired by Senator Delano Franklyn, Minister of State,
MFAFT.


2. Barnes did not comment on her expectations for the IOC
Intergovernmental Coordination Group's efforts, but she did
request that Post provide more information on tsunami
detection for the benefit of the National Council's
discussions. Post will follow up to provide more detailed
information to the GOJ on this issue, and will report any
substantive developments.
TURNER