TFXO01: UN AGENCIES WANT U.S. SATELLITE PHOTOS OF

UNCLAS RANGOON 000032 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, TSUNAMI TASK FORCE, S FOR HAYDEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR PINR PREL BM SUBJECT: TFXO01: UN AGENCIES WANT U.S. SATELLITE PHOTOS OF BURMA COAST REF: RANGOON 31 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (SBU) The World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director asked on behalf of the UN Country Team (UNCT) for access to the satellite imagery of the Burma coastline referred to by Secretary Powell in his January 4th press briefing on Phuket. SIPDIS He said that this imagery would be invaluable to UNCT and NGO agencies trying to assess the extent of the damage in Burma (reftel). While various field missions by UN agencies, the Red Cross, and NGOs have not found serious damage or major casualties, UN sources admit that difficult travel conditions, poor communications, and limited manpower make it impossible for these teams to cover all areas of potential impact (especially those islands, such as the Cocos, deemed sensitive by the GOB). ¶3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy requests Department assistance to provide to the UNCT in Rangoon declassified versions of satellite imagery of Burmese coastal zones in the Irrawaddy River delta and Tanintharyi Division (either that referred to by Secretary Powell or other imagery). END ACTION REQUEST. McMullen NNNN