CZECH CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HAITI RELIEF EFFORT

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000026 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PLEASE PASS HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID AEMR ECON EFIN PGOV PHUM PREL EZ HA SUBJECT: CZECH CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HAITI RELIEF EFFORT REF: A. STATE 4208 ¶B. STATE 4807 ¶C. STATE 4854 ¶D. STATE 4909 ¶1. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarches on January 19 and 20 to Foreign Ministry Humanitarian Aid Department Officer Hana Volna, who is leading government coordination efforts. She reported that the Czech Government has pledged CZK 20 million (USD 1.1 million) to the international Haiti relief effort. The first CZK 5 million (USD 276,243) has already been transferred to UNICEF for immediate assistance, and the remaining CZK 15 million (USD 828,729) will be administered through humanitarian channels yet to be determined. The Czech government hopes to send a government representative to Haiti in the coming weeks to assess the best way to administer the funds. ¶2. (U) Media sources report that the City of Prague hopes to contribute an additional CZK 12 million (USD 662,983),though it has thus far approved only CZK 2 million (USD 110,497). In addition, Volna estimates that Czech NGOs and private sector contributions total roughly CZK 15 million (USD 828,729). This number will increase as major non-profit organizations announce new fundraising events and efforts every day. ¶3. (SBU) Czech media also reports that the government is considering sending to Haiti medical teams, military police, and biological teams to detect contaminated drinking water. Volna said, however, that she had reached out to U.S. airport coordination personnel and that congestion at Haiti's airport has hindered efforts to send on-the-ground support so far. Media Coverage: -------------- ¶4. (U) Post has not found any ill-informed or distorted perspectives in Czech media coverage of the earthquake in Haiti. Rather, the Czech press had been well-informed and balanced, especially in regards to coverage of U.S. assistance efforts. In particular, opinion pieces both on television and in print have criticized the remarks of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as the efforts of the EU. For example, Milan Vodicka stated in today's edition of Mlada Fronta Dnes that the EU response is a disgrace because "while the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier, the EU, the wannabe superpower, organizes meetings in Brussels." ¶5. (U) Last Thursday, Post began featuring various IIP products on Haiti on our websites and Facebook page, with appropriate updates that will continue for the foreseeable future. Also, PAS is arranging an upcoming interview for Polec Officer Darian Arky, who had served in Haiti and speaks fluent Czech. Thompson-Jones