Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10STATE11764
2010-02-05 00:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Secretary of State
Cable title:
TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION
how-toVZCZCXRO6791 OO RUEHIK DE RUEHC #1764/01 0360032 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 050025Z FEB 10 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 2626 RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY IMMEDIATE 3476 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE IMMEDIATE 0709 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USD:SOLIC// IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/COMFIFTHFLT IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/COMSIXTHFLT IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/NGA HQ BETHESDA MD IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE RHHJJAA/JICPAC PEARL HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CDR USJFCOM NORFOLK VA IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//DAPE:PRO/DAPE-PRR-/DAPE:MO//IMMEDIATE 0816 0816 IMMED RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//DAMO-AOC-CAT//PCC// IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CDR USSTRATCOM OFFUTT AFB NE IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//TWC// IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J-3:JOD/J-1// IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 8014
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 011764
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT HA
SUBJECT: TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION
REPORT NO. 59
STATE 00011764 001.2 OF 003
VIP TRAVEL
----------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 011764
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT HA
SUBJECT: TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION
REPORT NO. 59
STATE 00011764 001.2 OF 003
VIP TRAVEL
--------------
1. (SBU) A 14-member CODEL led by Senator Durbin (D-IL) and
Representative Clyburn (D-SC) is scheduled to make a stopover
in Port-au-Prince February 5, weather permitting (a go/no-go
decision should be made by about 1800 EST). The CODEL will
be accompanied by Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs
Richard Verma. The CODEL aircraft might also transport
Haitian Ambassador Joseph. (TF1/Legislative Affairs e-mail)
2. (U) Former President Clinton is scheduled to make a
second trip to Haiti February 5 to meet with government
leaders, visit a Port-au-Prince AIDS clinic, and deliver
supplies. (AP)
EVACUATIONS/AMERICAN CITIZEN ISSUES
--------------
3. (SBU) As of 1600 EST, 265 American evacuees and family
members had departed Port-au-Prince February 4; a total of
15,049 have been evacuated to date. There are 150 Americans
and family members inside the Embassy and 50 waiting outside.
(TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail)
4. (SBU) No Americans are currently at the airport awaiting
evacuation. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail)
5. (SBU) Consular Affairs is tracking down 21 of the 63
adoptees approved for departure by Haitian Prime Minister
Bellerive on February 3. (TF1/Consular Affairs e-mail)
6. (SBU) As of 1130 EST, the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) has received 6,000 Haitian Temporary Protected Status
applications, and more than 750 adoptees have been approved
for humanitarian parole. (TF1/DHS Senior Leadership Brief)
COMMODITY FLOW/DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS
-------------- --------------
7. (SBU) The U.S.-flagged commercial vessel AMERICAN TRADER
discharged 340 twenty-foot-equivalent units of aid February
3. (TF1/Department of Transportation e-mail)
HUMANITARIAN UPDATE
--------------
8. (SBU) The UN World Food Program (WFP) has distributed
338,000 two-week rice rations since February 1, providing
for approximately one million people. Also, the WFP is
distributing food rations at the city stadium, currently home
to 6,000 people. (NOC MMC-GIR #041-02/10 and TF1/Principals'
Essential Data e-mail)
9. (SBU) USAID has constructed showers and latrines in
STATE 00011764 002.2 OF 003
Leogane, one of the most severely affected areas west of
Port-au-Prince. (TF1/Principals' Essential Data e-mail)
MEDICAL RESPONSE
--------------
10. (SBU) Eighteen patients on the USNS COMFORT have been
diagnosed with an Acinetobacter, an antibiotic-resistant
strain of bacteria. (TF1/USSOUTHCOM Haiti Intel Crisis Cell
Report, 1000Z 04 FEB)
11. (SBU) As of 1400 EST, the USNS COMFORT has had 2,826
patient encounters over the last 24 hours, for a cumulative
total of 57,885. (USNS COMFORT SITREP)
12. (SBU) Health and Human Services (HHS) will set-up a
permanent field convalescent hospital, which should be
operational by February 11. (TF1/DHS e-mail)
INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION/REQUESTS
--------------
13. (SBU) The French Government has evacuated 2,769 people
since January 12. (TF1/French MFA e-mail)
14. (SBU) The Gambian Government announced plans to donate
$1 million to "augment efforts being rendered in the global
wave of humanitarian assistance." (TF1/Embassy Banjul e-
mail)
15. (SBU) On February 5, the Japanese Government is expected
to approve the dispatch of a 350-member Self-Defense Force
engineering unit to remove rubble and repair roads as part of
the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti. (TF1/Japan desk e-
mail)
16. (SBU) The Uruguayan Government (GOU) will send between
120-155 peacekeeping troops to Haiti, including a medical
unit. Troops will be deployed within 60-90 days. The GOU
has requested freezers, generators and pre-fabricated
buildings from the USG. (Montevideo 0072)
SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE
--------------
17. (SBU) As of 0600 EST, 624 adoptees have departed Haiti
while U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has processed
813 parole cases (50 medical, 618 humanitarian, and 145
other). (TF1/DHS e-mail)
18. (SBU) U.S. airlines continue to prepare for the
resumption of commercial flights. American Airlines is
converting its cargo facility into a temporary terminal.
Delta Airlines reported its space in the main passenger
terminal was badly damaged and is currently unusable.
(TF1/EEB e-mail)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
--------------
STATE 00011764 003.2 OF 003
19. (SBU) Haitian Public Works, Transportation and
Communication Minister Jacques Gabriel said Port-au-Prince
could not be rebuilt to its previous state and suggested the
GOH consider relocating the capital to a location less prone
to earthquakes. (NOC MMC-GIR #042-02/10)
OTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
--------------
20. (SBU) The Chief Prosecutor in the case of the 10
Americans accused of trying to remove 33 children from Haiti
told Embassy Officer the group has been charged with
abduction of minors, illegal trafficking of children, and
organized malfeasance.
(TF1/ Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail)
21. (U) Minimize considered.
CLINTON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT HA
SUBJECT: TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION
REPORT NO. 59
STATE 00011764 001.2 OF 003
VIP TRAVEL
--------------
1. (SBU) A 14-member CODEL led by Senator Durbin (D-IL) and
Representative Clyburn (D-SC) is scheduled to make a stopover
in Port-au-Prince February 5, weather permitting (a go/no-go
decision should be made by about 1800 EST). The CODEL will
be accompanied by Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs
Richard Verma. The CODEL aircraft might also transport
Haitian Ambassador Joseph. (TF1/Legislative Affairs e-mail)
2. (U) Former President Clinton is scheduled to make a
second trip to Haiti February 5 to meet with government
leaders, visit a Port-au-Prince AIDS clinic, and deliver
supplies. (AP)
EVACUATIONS/AMERICAN CITIZEN ISSUES
--------------
3. (SBU) As of 1600 EST, 265 American evacuees and family
members had departed Port-au-Prince February 4; a total of
15,049 have been evacuated to date. There are 150 Americans
and family members inside the Embassy and 50 waiting outside.
(TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail)
4. (SBU) No Americans are currently at the airport awaiting
evacuation. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail)
5. (SBU) Consular Affairs is tracking down 21 of the 63
adoptees approved for departure by Haitian Prime Minister
Bellerive on February 3. (TF1/Consular Affairs e-mail)
6. (SBU) As of 1130 EST, the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) has received 6,000 Haitian Temporary Protected Status
applications, and more than 750 adoptees have been approved
for humanitarian parole. (TF1/DHS Senior Leadership Brief)
COMMODITY FLOW/DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS
-------------- --------------
7. (SBU) The U.S.-flagged commercial vessel AMERICAN TRADER
discharged 340 twenty-foot-equivalent units of aid February
3. (TF1/Department of Transportation e-mail)
HUMANITARIAN UPDATE
--------------
8. (SBU) The UN World Food Program (WFP) has distributed
338,000 two-week rice rations since February 1, providing
for approximately one million people. Also, the WFP is
distributing food rations at the city stadium, currently home
to 6,000 people. (NOC MMC-GIR #041-02/10 and TF1/Principals'
Essential Data e-mail)
9. (SBU) USAID has constructed showers and latrines in
STATE 00011764 002.2 OF 003
Leogane, one of the most severely affected areas west of
Port-au-Prince. (TF1/Principals' Essential Data e-mail)
MEDICAL RESPONSE
--------------
10. (SBU) Eighteen patients on the USNS COMFORT have been
diagnosed with an Acinetobacter, an antibiotic-resistant
strain of bacteria. (TF1/USSOUTHCOM Haiti Intel Crisis Cell
Report, 1000Z 04 FEB)
11. (SBU) As of 1400 EST, the USNS COMFORT has had 2,826
patient encounters over the last 24 hours, for a cumulative
total of 57,885. (USNS COMFORT SITREP)
12. (SBU) Health and Human Services (HHS) will set-up a
permanent field convalescent hospital, which should be
operational by February 11. (TF1/DHS e-mail)
INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION/REQUESTS
--------------
13. (SBU) The French Government has evacuated 2,769 people
since January 12. (TF1/French MFA e-mail)
14. (SBU) The Gambian Government announced plans to donate
$1 million to "augment efforts being rendered in the global
wave of humanitarian assistance." (TF1/Embassy Banjul e-
mail)
15. (SBU) On February 5, the Japanese Government is expected
to approve the dispatch of a 350-member Self-Defense Force
engineering unit to remove rubble and repair roads as part of
the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti. (TF1/Japan desk e-
mail)
16. (SBU) The Uruguayan Government (GOU) will send between
120-155 peacekeeping troops to Haiti, including a medical
unit. Troops will be deployed within 60-90 days. The GOU
has requested freezers, generators and pre-fabricated
buildings from the USG. (Montevideo 0072)
SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE
--------------
17. (SBU) As of 0600 EST, 624 adoptees have departed Haiti
while U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has processed
813 parole cases (50 medical, 618 humanitarian, and 145
other). (TF1/DHS e-mail)
18. (SBU) U.S. airlines continue to prepare for the
resumption of commercial flights. American Airlines is
converting its cargo facility into a temporary terminal.
Delta Airlines reported its space in the main passenger
terminal was badly damaged and is currently unusable.
(TF1/EEB e-mail)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
--------------
STATE 00011764 003.2 OF 003
19. (SBU) Haitian Public Works, Transportation and
Communication Minister Jacques Gabriel said Port-au-Prince
could not be rebuilt to its previous state and suggested the
GOH consider relocating the capital to a location less prone
to earthquakes. (NOC MMC-GIR #042-02/10)
OTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
--------------
20. (SBU) The Chief Prosecutor in the case of the 10
Americans accused of trying to remove 33 children from Haiti
told Embassy Officer the group has been charged with
abduction of minors, illegal trafficking of children, and
organized malfeasance.
(TF1/ Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail)
21. (U) Minimize considered.
CLINTON