Cablegate: Thailand Increases Planned Cash Aid for Haiti, Mod

VZCZCXRO1659
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHBK #0148 0191130
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 191130Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9608
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 7888
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE IMMEDIATE 0001
RHMFISS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 5477
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000148

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE AND USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT TH HA
SUBJECT: THAILAND INCREASES PLANNED CASH AID FOR HAITI, MOD
INQUIRES ABOUT POSSIBLE U.S. TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE

REF: STATE 4854

1. (SBU) We conveyed reftel U.S. appreciation for Thailand's
assistance for Haiti relief efforts to Phisek Panupat of the
Latin America Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
January 19. Phisek confirmed to us that the Thai Cabinet had
decided earlier January 19 to increase Thailand's offer of
$20,000 in financial assistance to $100,000.

2. (SBU) Phisek also told us that MFA Permanent Secretary
Theerakun Niyom was chairing a meeting of twenty RTG agencies
late January 19 to explore other areas of assistance for
Haiti. In addition, a Haiti relief taskforce had been
established in the MFA's Policy and Planning Office and a
call center had been opened January 18 to allow Thais to
contribute money towards relief efforts in Haiti.

3. (SBU) Phisek confirmed press reports that the RTG was
planning to coordinate RTG assistance efforts for Haiti with
Mexico via the Thai Embassy in Mexico. FM Kasit had met his
Mexican counterpart over the weekend at a Latin
American-Southeast Asian ministerial meeting and discussed
coordinating efforts after Mexico had agreed to assist with
the evacuation of three Thai nationals from Haiti. Phisek
expressed appreciation for U.S. engagement with the Thai
Embassy in Washington regarding the evacuation of Thai
nationals. He noted that the RTG had explored multiple
possibilities of how to evacuate Thai nationals quickly,
including reaching out to the U.S., Mexico, and China.

4. (SBU) Separately, the Ministry of Defense Permanent
Secretary's office contacted JUSMAGTHAI to explore the
possibility of U.S. transportation assistance to send medical
supplies to Haiti. The MOD had not yet procured the
supplies, but planned to do so if transportation assistance
were available. Post requests advice on whether the Thai MOD
should be encouraged to procure medical supplies for U.S.
transport, or alternatively to provide donations in cash to
expedite assistance.
JOHN

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