VZCZCXRO8070
OO RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHPOD RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHMO #0075 0141432
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141432Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5925
INFO RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS MOSCOW 000075
SIPDIS
FOR TASKFORCE-1
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV SOCI RS HA
SUBJECT: RUSSIA DISPATCHES RESCUE WORKERS AND EQUIPMENT TO
HAITI
1. (U) According to a January 14 press release by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Medvedev has ordered
the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) to assist
Haiti in dealing with the effects of the January 12
earthquake. Russia has already dispatched three EMERCOM
planes carrying medical equipment; provisions; and a team of
over 120 rescuers, doctors, and psychiatrists to Haiti. The
IL-76 planes and Bo-105/Bk-117 helicopters sent can also be
used to assist the UN mission in assessing the impact of the
natural disaster and coordinating the international response.
In addition, EMERCOM's IL-76 plane is equipped with doctors
and an onboard hospital. Press reports indicated that the
hospital is capable of accommodating up to 50 patients and
features state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic, and
surgery facilities.
2. (U) The GOR does not maintain an embassy in Haiti but has
sent a group of diplomats from the Russian mission in
Venezuela to Haiti in order to coordinate assistance.
Rubin