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