TFHA01: COLOMBIAN RESPONSE TO HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 000136 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR MARR PREL KPKO AORC CO HA SUBJECT: TFHA01: COLOMBIAN RESPONSE TO HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Government of Colombia (GOC) sent an AIR FORCE B-727 to Haiti to participate in humanitarian relief operations on the morning of January 14. The flight carried 7 doctors, 20 search and rescue officials, and emergency food and medical supplies. Colombian officials said the flight was unable to land due to AIR congestion in Port-au-Prince and may have been diverted to the Dominican Republic. The GOC plans to send additional personnel and supplies by C-130 once it assesses the most urgent needs. VMOD Eastman told the Ambassador the GOC would make Colombian military bases available to the U.S. and third countries to support relief efforts in Haiti--such an effort would highlight the humanitarian importance of the U.S.-Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement. ¶2. (U) Although Colombia does not have an Embassy in Haiti, the Colombian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic is dual accredited to Haiti. An estimated 400 Colombian citizens live in Haiti, and Colombian aircraft plan to evacuate those Colombian citizens who wish to depart. Colombia has 26 police officers in Haiti as part of MINUSTAH, all of whom have been accounted for. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe expressed solidarity with the people of Haiti and announced his intention to personally visit Haiti on January 17 if circumstances permit. End Summary. COLOMBIAN ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Colombia sent an AIR FORCE B-727 to Haiti on January 14 to participate in humanitarian operations. The flight departed from Colombian AIR FORCE AIR Transport Command (CATAM) in Bogota at approximately 8:00am EST. The personnel on board included 20 search and rescue experts (including trained dogs and handlers) and seven doctors specialized in treating trauma patients. The cargo included medical supplies, a mobile field hospital donated by the Colombian Army, emergency food and water supplies and several satellite telephones. (Note: As of 3:00pm EST on January 14, the aircraft had not landed due to flight congestion and may have been diverted to the Dominican Republic. End note). ¶4. (SBU) Colombian Minister of Interior and Justice Fabio Valencia Cossio, Vice Minister of Defense Alejandro Arbelaez and General Tito Pinilla traveled to Haiti separately on a Citation-550 aircraft and reportedly reached Port-au-Prince at around 1:30pm EST on January 14. The GOC officials will assess the situation and advise what supplies are needed most urgently. The GOC plans to send a C-130 aircraft with several pallets of relief supplies as soon as possible, but the AIR FORCE is holding the flight due to reports of AIR congestion in Port-au-Prince. The Defense Ministry announced it is also prepared to send relief supplies by ship from the port of Cartagena, including heavy equipment for reconstruction. GOC OFFERS BASES FOR REGIONAL EFFORTS -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Colombian Defense Ministry offered the use of several Colombian airports and military installations to third countries participating in the relief efforts in Haiti. Vice Minister of Defense Jorge Mario Eastman told the Ambassador on January 14 that Colombian bases such as Palanquero or Malambo (Barranquilla) (which are listed under the U.S.-Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA)) could be utilized by the U.S. military or third countries to support aid to Haiti. The facilities could be used for transit, re-fueling and supply of aircraft and crews who are participating in aid operations. COLOMBIAN PRESENCE IN HAITI -------------- ¶6. (U) Colombia does not have an Embassy in Haiti, although the Colombian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic - retired General Mario Montoya - is also accredited to Haiti. Foreign Ministry officials told us that Colombian consular officials from the Dominican Republic were traveling to Haiti to assist the estimated 400 Colombian citizens believed to live in Haiti. Foreign Ministry officials said that Colombian aircraft will bring back any Colombian citizens who wish to return to Colombia. They indicated that they had not received any reports of any missing or injured Colombian citizens. (Note: Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba reported that her sister Marta Lia, who works for the United BOGOTA 00000136 002 OF 002 Nations in Haiti, survived the earthquake and is in good condition.) ¶7. (U) Colombia currently has 26 police officers in Haiti as part of MINUSTAH, led by Colombian Lieutenant Colonel Santiago Camelo. According to the Defense Ministry, all of these personnel have been accounted for. GOC COORDINATION -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Colombian Ministry of Interior and Justice formed a control center to coordinate the GOC's aid efforts in Haiti. The GOC reportedly plans to set up a coordination center at the Port-au-Prince airport. The Colombian Government plans to channel its aid to Haiti through the United Nations. URIBE SENDS SOLIDARITY MESSAGE -------------- ¶9. (U) The GOC announced support for Haiti on January 12. President Alvaro Uribe sent a message of solidarity to the people of Haiti on January 14 and pledged Colombia's support to the relief efforts. Uribe also announced his intention to personally visit Haiti on January 17 if circumstances permit. ¶10. (U) Minimize considered. BROWNFIELD