TFUS01: Further information on Spanish Assistance

UNCLAS MADRID 003153

SIPDIS

E.O. 12950: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL US SP
SUBJECT: TFUS01: Further information on Spanish Assistance

Reftels a)Madrid 3149 b) State 166366


1. According to Pablo Muelas Garcia, Technical Advisor in
AECI (the Spanish USAID equivalent),two Spanish Hercules
transport aircraft are scheduled to depart Spain tomorrow
(September 7) with material assistance from the Spanish
Government (reftel A.) As currently planned, one plane will
contain MREs and the second a compendium of items from our
list (reftel B),including tents, bedding, cleaning items,
water purification plants, and basic medical supplies.
Muelas also asked for status of an earlier Spanish request
for U.S. airlift. We had turned the request off because of
the availability of the Spanish Hercules. He stated he had
just returned from a meeting with NGOs and the governments
of Spain's autonomous communities (state equivalents.) He
estimated that between the two, there could be three further
planeloads of supplies to transport. He did not yet have
details on the supplies or timing.


2. Madrid's Air Attache is coordinating the U.S. airlift
request, as well as the travel of the Spanish Hercules
aircraft. We are also waiting for confirmation from OFDA on
landing slots for the Spanish aircraft in Little Rock
(information promised for later tonight.)


3. Embassy Madrid is receiving a large volume of calls from
Spaniards wishing to provide assistance to victims of
Hurricane Katrina. We are steering them to the Spanish Red
Cross, which has a telephone number dedicated to these
donations.