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