Namibia Pledges to Assist Haiti Via Cuban Government

UNCLAS WINDHOEK 000078 SIPDIS FOR AF/S PHAEDRA GWYN, AF/RSA LOU MAZEL, WHA/FO STACY D. WILLIAMS, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON PREL PGOV HA CU WA SUBJECT: Namibia Pledges to Assist Haiti Via Cuban Government REF: STATE 4854 (A); STATE 4909 (B); STATE 5808 (C); STATE 6918 (D) ¶1. Poloff delivered Ref A and B to Alan Hattle, Director of Bilateral Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on January ¶19. Ambassador underscored the message to Prime Minister Nahas Angula on January 25, following press reports that Namibia planned to donate USD one million in humanitarian assistance to Haiti. In the meeting, Angula clarified that the assistance would consist of in-kind goods and not financial donations. He said the gift would be made in coordination with the Cuban government, citing Cuba's geographic proximity to Haiti, its apparent awareness of the needs in Haiti, and its "strong medical teams." (Note: Namibia and Cuba have strong diplomatic ties that predate Namibia's independence. End note.) Angula stated that Namibia's ambassador to Cuba was working on delivery details with the Cuban government and the UN office in Havana. ¶2. Ambassador encouraged the GRN to register its pledge on the OCHA website and emphasized the information in Ref B and C. Angula said Namibian organizations and citizens were also making private donations through the Namibian chapter of the International Red Cross, but he expressed concern that some Namibians would give to less reputable organizations. Ambassador suggested that international organizations that are well-known and respected should be utilized. ¶3. The Prime Minister also asked about the process for the adoption of orphans, opining that some children could be taken advantaged of and trafficked. Ambassador responded that the United States was expediting the paperwork for those children already in the adoption pipeline and would ensure due diligence prior to the approval of other adoptions. MATHIEU