LATVIAN ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS

UNCLAS RIGA 000258 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM EAID BM LG SUBJECT: LATVIAN ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS REF: RIGA 245 ¶1. Post recently sent in a demarche response stating the GOL was not planning to provide humanitarian assistance in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. However, we have subsequently learned the following about public and private efforts: --On May 13, the GOL's cabinet approved a 20,000 EUR donation for Burmese disaster victims. The money will be donated to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). --The youth volunteer wing of the Latvian Red Cross has hosted several events to raise funds for victims. --Lastly, there is a Latvian firm, GM Helicopters, that operates in Malaysia and Africa. The firm has pledged to help with transportation needs. LARSON