TFUS01: CZECH ASSISTANCE RECAP

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001348 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/ES-O, EUR/NCE FICHTE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EZ PREL SUBJECT: TFUS01: CZECH ASSISTANCE RECAP REF: A. PRAGUE 1318 ¶B. PRAGUE 1289 ¶C. PRAGUE 1287 ¶D. STATE 169098 ¶E. STATE 166973 ¶F. STATE 163366 ¶G. USNATO 538 ¶1. SUMMARY: Post continues to receive active offers of assistance and support from the GOCR, City of Prague, and private individuals. The Ambassador and Foreign Minister Svoboda attended a ceremony and press conference on September 11 marking the first NATO humanitarian assistance mission stop in the Czech Republic. The Ambassador highlighted the fourth anniversary of 9/11 and remarked on the overwhelming generosity and support from the government and the people of the Czech Republic -- then and now. While the GOCR understands that short-term assistance needs decisions have been made (reftel A and D),they stand ready to provide longer-term assistance needs, including historical and archival restoration experts. -------------- NATO TRANSPORTATION OF ASSISTANCE OFFERS -------------- ¶2. NATO air assets continue to transport USG accepted assistance offers from the GOCR (reftel E). In addition to the NATO Boeing 707 transport on September 11 (reftel G) of 14 large tents and 390 cots (Note: initially all 600 cots accepted by the USG were going on that flight but could not due to weight restrictions),three NATO German C-160s arrived September 15 to pick up the remaining 210 cots and about half of the 24,000 blankets. Two more NATO flights arrived September 16 and the final NATO mission will arrive September 17 for the remaining blankets. -------------- GOCR-CITY OF PRAGUE COORDINATION -------------- ¶3. In addition to offers from the GOCR (reftel B),the City of Prague approved CZK 16 million (USD 700 million) in assistance for Hurricane Katrina relief. This is separate from the GOCR's earlier approval of CZK 25 million (USD 1 million). During a September 15 MFA-City Hall meeting, the two sides pledged coordination of their resources and longer-term assistance offers for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The GOCR is considering sending Tomas Pojar, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Relations and slated to replace him this fall, to Washington and to New Orleans. MFA informed that the delegation would now include City of Prague officials. Post underscored the difficulties of gaining access to the City of New Orleans, and urged any such request for visitation to be made further down the line. -------------- OFFERS FROM INDIVIDUALS -------------- ¶4. The following is a recap of individual donations to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts: -- ADRA, a local humanitarian NGO, has donated USD 10,000 to a Houston-based chapter of the Salvation Army, and is also helping the Workers of Louisiana Association for Homeless Children. They also plan to host a benefit concert in October, whose proceeds will go to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. -- A group of Czech jazz musicians, in cooperation of the City of Prague, is hosting a Czech-U.S. Jazz Night fund-raiser on September 28. Czech Airlines will fly three New Orleans musicians (Brian Seeger, Cassandra Faulconer and John Gros) from New York to Prague and back for free. Post's Public Affairs Section will fund their travel to New York, and provide accommodations in Prague. The concert will be free to the public and donations will go to a New Orleans music association (Tipitina's Foundation in Baton Rouge). -- Czech Technical University is offering to help its partner Tulane University, with whom they already have a student exchange program. The offer is to host 15 students for the 2005-2006 academic year. The Anglo-American College of Prague is setting aside scholarship funds to host students from Tulane University. CABANISS