CAMBODIAN KING SIHAMONI DONATES $20,000 FOR

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 001539


TOPEC

DEPARTMENT FOR HURRICANE KATRINA TASK FORCE, EAP/BCLTV
DHS FOR FEMA/OIA
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USAID/ANE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL US CB
SUBJECT: CAMBODIAN KING SIHAMONI DONATES $20,000 FOR
KATRINA VICTIMS

REF: A. STATE 166898

B. PHNOM PENH 1522


1. On September 13, King Norodom Sihamoni conveyed to Charge
and USAID Mission Director his profound condolences and those
of King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Monineath
for the destruction, suffering, and loss of life caused by
Hurricane Katrina. King Sihamoni then provided a cash
donation of $20,000 on behalf of himself and his parents the
King Father and Queen Mother to support the victims and
recovery efforts. Charge accepted the donation in principle.


2. In a moving statement, the King said that, as a young man
studying in Prague, he had been touched by the influence of
the culture of New Orleans and by the great American
literature produced by southern writers. He expressed his
admiration for the efforts of the American people in dealing
with the catastrophe and for the dignity of survivors. He
apologized for the modesty of the donation, but said that it
represented an expression of his heartfelt sorrow and that of
his parents. Charge promised to convey these sentiments to
Washington. Charge added that the sum was a large amount for
Cambodia and that the King's donation, along with the $20,000
donation provided by the Cambodian government (Ref b),
demonstrated the will of Cambodia and the Cambodian people
not to just accept assistance from others, but also
participate in the world community and help where Cambodia
was able to assist.


3. We await guidance from the Department Task force on
accepting the King's donation before we proceed with
crediting the cash donation. Today we will credit the RGC
donation made September 9 as per Ref A instructions.


STORELLA