TFUS01: LITHUANIA: KATRINA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000950

SIPDIS

FOR EUR/PPD - JLOCKARD
INR/R/MR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PREL PGOV LH
SUBJECT: TFUS01: LITHUANIA: KATRINA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

REF(S):


1. Summary: Lithuanian print media is actively covering
hurricane "Katrina", echoing official U.S. statements in
news reports and reprinting information provided by both
international and national news services in all Lithuanian
daily newspapers. Recent attention has shifted to
Lithuania's possible role in helping the victims and the
difficulties in delivering those resources. Opinion pieces
by individual journalists and additional information
linking the tragedy to Lithuanian affairs are reviewed
below. End Summary.


2. The independent daily "Kauno diena" (circ. 36,000) on
9/3 published an article by Dainoras Lukas entitled "From
The Drowning City Calls For Help Also In Lithuanian". It
cites the response of Lithuanian Ambassador to the United
States Vygaudas Usackas to inquiries about the situation of
Lithuanian nationals presently residing in the effected
region. The Embassy had received a letter informing about a
Lithuanian girl with the group of Russian students trapped
in one of the submerged houses and handed it over to the
Center for Crisis Management. Although there are 3500
Lithuanians in Louisiana, Ambassador Usackas reassured the
media that all were safe. The article also mentions that
the NBA team on which the famous Lithuanian basketball-
player Arvydas Macijauskas plays - the New Orleans'
"Hornets" - is considering resettlement. While the general
message is handled positively, examples of negative
performance by the U.S. authorities and rescue workers in
the flooded city are mentioned.


3. In the 9/6 article "Lithuanian Rescue Workers Rushing To
The Lair Of The Hurricane", "Vakaro zinios" (circ. 70,000),
Nijole Stabingyte reported that the Fire and Rescue
Department had a meeting to discuss what sort of aid could
be provided to New Orleans. The Department noted that the
number of volunteers almost reached one hundred firemen but
the decision but that a final decision would be made after
consultations with the Embassy of the United States. Both
tabloids, "Vakaro zinios" and "Extra zinios", in most news
summaries stressed the anarchy, violence and helplessness
of the authorities that are ruining New Orleans.


4. A more detailed report on the help offered by Lithuania
was made by Roberta Traceviciute in the daily newspaper
"Lietuvos zinios" (circ. 18,000) on 9/8 in the article
entitled "Lithuanians Are Not Hurrying To Donate For
Americans". According to the journalist, the Lithuanian
Red Cross had collected only 3000 Litas (~$1200),but
contributions will be accepted until October. Irena
Bruziene of the Lithuanian Red Cross commented on the
limited contributions: "There are different opinions. Some
say that USA is a rich country and therefore does not need
aid." However, she also added that it is everyone's duty
to help the victims regardless of their economic position.
Beyond individual donations, the Lithuanian government will
send medicine valued at 35,000 Litas for the victims.


5. Vytaute Smaizyte - news correspondent for the free daily
paper "15 Minuciu" - on 9/8 in the article "The Breathing
Of The Hurricane In The U.S. Is Felt By Lithuanians"
maintained that the consequences of the disaster have
affected the life of Lithuanians working in cruise ships in
the Gulf of Mexico. One Lithuanian citizen informed that
there are 10 Lithuanians employed on cruise ships, all
waiting with concern the arrival of evacuees from New
Orleans. According to this undisclosed interviewee, the
crew is concerned about the use of the cruise ship as a
shelter. The article concluded that Lithuanians working in
the area were shocked that such a well-off and powerful
state as the U.S. was challenged in the face of the natural
disaster.


6. Stanislovas Kairys also drew a critical picture of U.S.
authorities in the article "How Such Things Can Take Place
In The United States?" published in the weekly newspaper on
political issues "Atgimimas" on 9/9. Although the article
is based on excerpts of critical ideas expressed in many
influential American and European papers ("The Washington
Post", "The New York Times", "Los Angeles Times", "Daily
Mail", Frankfurter Rundschau" etc.),the points borrowed
enabled the author to support his own position which is
that the disaster swept away the myth of American well-
being by showing how current administration of G. W. Bush
is continuously opposing any projects of active social
policy or economic regulation and is therefore maintaining
the division of American citizens into those which are
"worthy" and those which are characterized as
"inefficient".

MULL