Cablegate: Namibia Pledges to Assist Haiti Via Cuban Government

VZCZCXRO7095
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHWD #0078 0251529
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251528Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0138
INFO SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0005
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0001

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

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