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.

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NATO TRANSPORTATION OF ASSISTANCE OFFERS
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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.

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GOCR-CITY OF PRAGUE COORDINATION
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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.

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OFFERS FROM INDIVIDUALS
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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