Cablegate: Tfus01: Turks Remember Generous Earthquake

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

141449Z Sep 05

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005355

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR HURRICANE KATRINA TASK FORCE
DEPT PLEASE PASS DHS FOR FEMA/OIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL KPAO TU
SUBJECT: TFUS01: TURKS REMEMBER GENEROUS EARTHQUAKE
ASSISTANCE FROM US AND RESPOND IN KIND

Ref: (A) STATE 163366 (B) ANKARA 5193 (C) STATE 162270

(D) STATE 163278 (E) STATE 163729 (F) ANKARA 5210

1. This is an action cable. See paragraph 6.

2. Summary: The GOT has formally offered an assistance
package totaling USD 2.5 million for Hurricane Katrina,
including a USD 1.5 million cash donation to the
American Red Cross (already sent), and USD 1 million of
in-kind assistance. GOT Emergency Management Agency
President Hasan Ipek has requested guidance from post to
prioritize the in-kind assistance and to determine how
and to whom to arrange delivery. In addition to the
GOT's generous offer, the embassy continues to receive
numerous letters of condolence and private offers of
assistance (including ten full scholarships at the Izmir
University of Economics for undergraduate and graduate
students in the affected area) from Turkish citizens as
they remember America's response to the major earthquake
near Istanbul in 1999. End summary.

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OFFICIAL GOT OFFER OF ASSISTANCE
--------------------------------

3. On September 13, econoff received notification from
Turkish Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) President
Hasan Ipek that the GOT has offered monetary and in-kind
assistance totaling USD 2.5 million for Hurricane
Katrina. According to Ipek, PM Tayip Erdogan felt
strongly that Turkey should assist the USG and held
several meetings to determine the best type of
assistance. Ipek added that the GOT has already
transferred USD 1.5 million to the American Red Cross
(ARC). He stated that GOT officials will meet on
September 15 to determine what in-kind assistance will
comprise the remaining USD 1 million. They plan to use
the ref A list of items as a guide.

4. Ipek requested assistance in prioritizing the in-kind
donation and with determining the logistics for
delivery. He stated that the GOT is willing to donate
the items either directly to FEMA, to the ARC or to any
organization that the USG specifies. According to Ipek,
the GOT has contacted NATO EADRCC (Euro-Atlantic
Disaster Response Coordination Center) regarding
transportation and delivery but will await USG
instructions prior to shipping the donation. He added
that they will ship the items in any way the USG
requests. Finally, he mentioned that the GOT could also
send medical personnel to the affected area. MFA Volkan
Oskiper confirmed to Econoff that this official offer
came from the Prime Ministry and supersedes the previous
offer of a search and rescue team (Ref F).

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TURKS TO AMERICANS: WE REMEMBER YOUR KINDNESS
---------------------------------------------

5. In addition to the private offer of 1.2 million
bottles of water (ref B), the embassy continues to
receive numerous letters of condolence from Turkish
citizens. One of particular note came from a Turkish
citizen who currently lives in the World Bank-
constructed housing in Izmit, an area badly affected by
the massive earthquake that occurred near Istanbul in
1999. In remembrance for the generosity shown by
America in response to this disaster in 1999, the writer
included a USD 5 donation. A second letter of special
interest is from the leadership of Izmir University of
Economics (IEU), where the mission's fourth and newest
American Corner is housed. As thanks for the generosity
shown to Turkey by American students during the 1999
earthquake, the university has offered full scholarships
to five graduate and five undergraduate students who are
currently enrolled at universities or community colleges
in the affected areas. The university's medium of
instruction is English.

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ACTION REQUEST
--------------

6. Action request: Post requests Department's guidance
in responding to the GOT's official offer of assistance.
In particular, the embassy would appreciate instructions
on whether or not the GOT should make all donations
through the ARC.

7. Post POC is Economic Officer Rebecca Patrick (x.2255
or patrickrk@state.gov).

MCELDOWNEY

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