MGHH02: MONITORING GROUP FORMATION REGARDING

UNCLAS STATE 119005 INFORM CONSULS - NASSAU PLS PASS TO FREEPORT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT CD JM, XL, XK SUBJECT: MGHH02: MONITORING GROUP FORMATION REGARDING HURRICANE PALOMA ¶1. At 1500 EST on 11/07/2008 the Executive Secretary directed that the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs establish a Monitoring Group to coordinate all State Department activities relating to Hurricane Paloma as it affects the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and The Bahamas. The Monitoring Group will operate virtually with support from the Operations Center, but will be prepared to upgrade to physical staffing should events warrant. ¶2. The Monitoring Group director will be Cuban Affairs Deputy Director Ricardo Zuniga of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Representatives from WHA and CA will participate in the Monitoring Group; additional bureaus or offices may be added to the Group as needed. ¶3. All cables and other documents relating to this Monitoring Group should include the SIPDIS caption. Reporting cables should include MGHH02 on the subject line as well as the following tags: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, KFLO, MARR, PREL, PINR, AMGT, CD, JM, XL, and XK. ¶4. A hurricane webpage, which includes Monitoring Group situation reports, is available at http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_Hu rricane_Pal oma. Please note that this web address is case sensitive. ¶5. Embassies Nassau, Kingston, and U.S. Interest Section Havana should take the following actions immediately: (a) Please provide by email the office and residence telephone numbers of all country team members and other key officers who will have action responsibilities during this crisis. Please direct these emails to SES- O@state.gov. (b) Participate in daily conference calls and provide situation reports by email as required for as long as the Monitoring Group is in operation. (c) Review post Emergency Action Plan (including tripwires),update the F-77 report of potential evacuees, and ensure the Evacuation Management System (EMS) contains the most recent information on staff present at post. ¶6. Minimize considered. RICE