GOVERNMENT OF EL SALVADOR REITERATES KATRINA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002488 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2015 TAGS: AEMR CASC EAID ES MARR PGOV PINS PREL US HURRICANE KATRINA SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF EL SALVADOR REITERATES KATRINA RELIEF OFFER REF: A. STATE 162270 ¶B. STATE 163366 ¶C. STATE 164132 ¶D. SAN SALVADOR 2464 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael A. Butler, Reasons: 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) GOES Foreign Minister Francisco Lainez called CDA on September 7 at at President Saca's request. Saca had been informed that Mexican troops had entered the U.S. to participate in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans, and he wanted to remind us that Salvadoran troops are ready to depart for the U.S. to assist in humanitarian rescue and relief operations, pending U.S. concurrence. Lainez added that El Salvador might even be able to transport its military personnel to the U.S. with its own assets, if required. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: Per reftel D, post reiterates that El Salvador's armed forces stand ready to deploy 100-150 specialists in rescue operations, including medical personnel, engineers, and military police. This contingent has already been mobilized under President Saca's orders, pending USG response. Given the nation's experience in recovering from Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and three deadly earthquakes in 1986 and 2001, such personnel could make meaningful contributions to recovery operations in Louisiana and Mississippi. Butler