UK SEEKS FLOOD RELIEF ASSISTANCE FROM US

UNCLAS LONDON 002907 SIPDIS SIPDIS HSC ALSO FOR FEMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL UK SUBJECT: UK SEEKS FLOOD RELIEF ASSISTANCE FROM US ¶1. This is an action request. ¶2. Andy Shields of the UK Civil Contingencies Secretariat within the Cabinet Office informed Embassy July 27 that the UK Government will shortly issue a formal request to the USG for portable toilet chemicals, known as WAG Bags, in response to this week's floods in the UK. Logistical details and quantities are still to be determined. The request will be issued Friday night, July 27, and will be sent to FEMA as well as the Embassy. There is an expectation that the US would provide this emergency assistance on a "non-reimbursable basis" (i.e., gratis),particularly in light of British generosity on the same terms to the U.S. following Hurricane Katrina. ¶3. The Ambassador strongly supports providing this assistance on a non-reimbursable basis. Post urges Washington agencies to respond in a timely manner, so that issue is resolved before the President meets with PM Brown and Secretary Rice with Foreign Secretary Miliband on Sunday and Monday, July 29 and 30. ¶4. Point of contact at post is Sandra Clark, Acting Economic Minister-Counselor who can be reached at 44-20-7894-0482 (office) or 44-771-516-7463 (cell). Visit London's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/london/index. cfm JOHNSON