Cablegate: Haiti Engagement - Report From Helsinki

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHHE #0037 0261559
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261559Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5413
INFO RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 4759
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 8684
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 0006
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 3211
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 0888
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 0029

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000037

SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KDEM OIIP HA FI
SUBJECT: HAITI ENGAGEMENT - REPORT FROM HELSINKI

REF: STATE 5277

1. PAS has engaged with Finnish government and media on
Haiti relief operations and is pleased to report that
their treatment of the earthquake and its aftermath has
been fair, balanced and forward-leaning in terms of
their own support and understanding. We have seen no
need to flag highly-biased reporting or instances of
misinformation with media directors. In the case of
criticism of the efficacy of the U.S. response in Haiti
from Finn Church Aid (FCA) -- specifically, the FCA
Director and another rep attacking the U.S. military's
role and an airdrop of humanitarian assistance in the
media -- we expressed our concern directly to him. He
acknowledged that perhaps he'd been too critical, given
that he offered to have the U.S. response mentioned
specifically, publicly and positively at a concert at
the National Cathedral last Sunday. He said that he'd
received some pointed criticism from Finns after his
interview was published, who complained about the
harshness of his comments and the positive effect of
U.S. relief efforts.

2. All major Finnish radio, TV, and print media outlets
have reporters filing directly from Port au Prince and
day-by-day coverage of events from Haiti has been wide-
ranging and accurate. Commentators have focused on the
challenging difficulties ahead in terms of logistics to
provide aid and dealing with an already impoverished
country. Somber assessments and even pessimism
regarding the sustainability of international relief
have appeared, but nothing to suggest inaccurate views
of U.S. operations. Some criticisms of U.S. military
presence in Haiti were picked up from international
wires, as were reports of organizational snafus and
failures of supplies reaching the majority of
earthquake victims in a timely fashion. These were
broadly balanced with coverage of massive amounts of
aid pouring in and heroic survival stories.

3. Post's outreach initiatives have included postings
of usa.gov materials on our website; dissemination of
Haiti info links to key contacts in media and GoF;
responses to queries about the Bush-Clinton Fund; an
ambassadorial blog and web entry noting Finns' and
Americans outpouring of support for Haitians;
preparation of bullets on USG Haiti relief efforts for
Emboffs' speech files and addresses to schools, a
political party and other youth groups, and other
public fora; and plans for a U.S. speaker on emergency
preparedness with a focus on Haiti.

4. Post will continue to monitor all local media
sources and flag any distortions. Finns themselves are
extremely attentive to misinformation and
sensationalistic reporting; they have a tradition of
low-key, reflective media analysis which, in this case,
works to our advantage.

ORECK

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