KYRGYZSTAN: DEMARCHE RESPONSE ON U.S. ASSISTANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000068 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASKFORCE, WHA/CAR (V DE PIRRO),IO/UNP (B NARANJO AND N GARUCKIS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020 TAGS: PREL PREF EAID ECON HA KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: DEMARCHE RESPONSE ON U.S. ASSISTANCE TO HAITI REF: STATE 6918 Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) On January 22, the Ambassador discussed the humanitarian crisis in Haiti (reftel points) with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Sarbayev. Sarbayev noted that he had been in China on an official visit when the earthquake occurred. Nonetheless, he had sent condolences to the Haitian government and the Ministry had issued a formal statement of condolences, as well. ¶2. (C) Interestingly, Sarbayev said he had asked the Russians what they thought about Kyrgyzstan offering assistance and the Russians had said not to bother. They (NFI) told him that they had sent two planes, and that it had been difficult both to get them onto the ground and to find someone in Haiti who could accept the relief supplies. Sarbayev said Kyrgyzstan would wait to see if there were any way in which it might make a gesture as the situation stabilized. GFOELLER