JAMAICA / HAITI / CARICOM: RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKE DISASTER

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000060 SIPDIS DEPT FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA WHA/CAR SAN JOSE FOR OFDA PANAMA FOR DR. BAYUK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC MARR PREL PINR AMGT SOCI OVIP EAID SMIG, KFLO, HA, JM, XL SUBJECT: JAMAICA / HAITI / CARICOM: RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKE DISASTER REF: KINGSTON 46 (132049Z JAN 10)(NOTAL); STATE 4208 (150608Z JAN 10) Summary -- Prime Minister (PM) Bruce Golding has offered Jamaica to PM Rene Preval for use as a logistics center to provide warehousing and aircraft refueling for countries wishing to bring in relief supplies to Haiti. -- The Government of Jamaica (GoJ) has reiterated its planned deployment of 150 personnel to Haiti and its request for USG financial assistance in this effort (reftel A and diplomatic note paragraph 5). -- CARICOM is expected to make an announcement at a noon press briefing on January 15 regarding its response. PM Golding reportedly will host a meeting of a number of Caribbean leaders on the morning of January 16 in Kingston for further coordination of CARICOM's assistance efforts, which are expected to focus on medical support. End Summary. PM's Visit to Port-au-Prince ¶2. PM Bruce Golding, accompanied by Information Minister Daryl Vaz, Leader of the Opposition Portia Simpson-Miller, and members of the Government of Jamaica (GoJ)'s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM),visited Port-au-Prince via chartered aircraft on the afternoon of January 14. The group met with Haitian PM Rene Preval and with UN officials. Golding reportedly offered Jamaica to Preval as a logistics center that would provide warehousing for other countries wishing to bring in relief supplies. CARICOM ¶3. CARICOM Chairman PM Roosevelt Skerrit, General Secretary Edwin Carrington, Barbados PM David Thompson and other CARICOM officials met in Kingston on the evening of January 14 to discuss CARICOM's response to the disaster in Haiti. CARICOM is expected to make an announcement on January 15 regarding its response, which is expected to focus on medical support. PM Golding reportedly will host a meeting of a number of Caribbean leaders on the morning of January 16 in Kingston for further coordination of CARICOM's assistance efforts. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr. Kenneth Baugh, Jamaica has been chosen as a regional hub for the relief effort and will serve as a refueling point for aircraft taking relief supplies and personnel to Haiti. The GoJ will waive navigational and landing fees for such aircraft. Warehouse facilities for sorting and temporary storage of relief items are to be made available at the international airports in Kingston and in Montego Bay, and the GoJ has offered the use of Reynolds Pier in Ocho Rios on Jamaica's northern coast. (Note: Post understands that at least one Chinese aircraft already has transited and refueled at Kingston airport. End Note.) Jamaican Deployment ¶4. Post understands that the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) began its deployment the morning of January 15. JDF reports that it deployed fifty-five (55) personnel along with ten (10) personnel from the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB). The primary mission for this force is search and rescue. Air Jamaica provided the transportation for this unit. JDF anticipates sending a similar force on January 16. JDF has informally requested a U.S. airframe (C-130 or C-17) to transport two of its wheeled vehicles. USMLO Kingston is developing this requirement; point-of-contact is LTC Robert Wagner, 876-702-6073 (IVG 929-6073),e-mails Robert.Wagner@tcsc.southcom.mil or wagnerra@state.gov. JDF-Coast Guard also has a patrol boat with supplies operating in the vicinity of Port-au-Prince (exact disposition unknown). ¶5. Post has received a facsimile copy of the following diplomatic note from the Government of Jamaica (GoJ)'s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT),dated January 13: (begin text of MFAFT diplomatic note dated January 13) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade presents it compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to refer to the devastating earthquake which hit the Republic of Haiti yesterday afternoon. The Ministry wishes to advise that the Government of Jamaica is coordinating an emergency relief for Haiti and in this regard the immediate response will be the immediate dispatch of a contingent comprising one hundred and fifty (150) Jamaica Defense Force Personnel to Haiti tonight. This contingent will be supporting search and rescue action as well as the restoration of military services. The Ministry of National Security has advised that the initial deployment and two (2) week's maintenance costs are estimated at Twelve Million Jamaican Dollars. However, current financial constraints have impeded the sourcing of those funds from the public budget. In light of this situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is appealing for financial support for this effort to render immediate disaster relief assistance to the Government and people of Haiti. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade would appreciate the earliest possible response to this appeal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. (end text of MFAFT diplomatic note dated January 13) Preparation for Haitians Fleeing Disaster ¶6. The GoJ has begun coastal surveillance in the waters off the parishes of St. Mary's and Portland on Jamaica's northeastern coast for Haitians fleeing the disaster. A statement issued by the GoJ indicates that "preparations have been put in place to receive, screen and treat such persons." Ministry of National Security Permanent Secretary Major Richard Reese has stated that, in coordination with the Jamaica Red Cross Society, a facility has been identified to house Haitians likely to seek refuge here (he declined to disclose the location). Parnell