Cablegate: Czech Contributions to the Haiti Relief Effort

VZCZCXRO2968
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHPG #0026 0201429
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201429Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2064
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE PRIORITY 0001
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0277

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000026

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID AEMR ECON EFIN PGOV PHUM PREL EZ HA
SUBJECT: CZECH CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HAITI RELIEF EFFORT

REF: A. STATE 4208
B. STATE 4807
C. STATE 4854
D. STATE 4909

1. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarches on January 19 and 20
to Foreign Ministry Humanitarian Aid Department Officer Hana
Volna, who is leading government coordination efforts. She
reported that the Czech Government has pledged CZK 20 million
(USD 1.1 million) to the international Haiti relief effort.
The first CZK 5 million (USD 276,243) has already been
transferred to UNICEF for immediate assistance, and the
remaining CZK 15 million (USD 828,729) will be administered
through humanitarian channels yet to be determined. The Czech
government hopes to send a government representative to Haiti
in the coming weeks to assess the best way to administer the
funds.

2. (U) Media sources report that the City of Prague hopes to
contribute an additional CZK 12 million (USD 662,983), though
it has thus far approved only CZK 2 million (USD 110,497).
In addition, Volna estimates that Czech NGOs and private
sector contributions total roughly CZK 15 million (USD
828,729). This number will increase as major non-profit
organizations announce new fundraising events and efforts
every day.

3. (SBU) Czech media also reports that the government is
considering sending to Haiti medical teams, military police,
and biological teams to detect contaminated drinking water.
Volna said, however, that she had reached out to U.S. airport
coordination personnel and that congestion at Haiti's airport
has hindered efforts to send on-the-ground support so far.

Media Coverage:
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4. (U) Post has not found any ill-informed or distorted
perspectives in Czech media coverage of the earthquake in
Haiti. Rather, the Czech press had been well-informed and
balanced, especially in regards to coverage of U.S.
assistance efforts. In particular, opinion pieces both on
television and in print have criticized the remarks of the
French Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as the efforts of
the EU. For example, Milan Vodicka stated in today's edition
of Mlada Fronta Dnes that the EU response is a disgrace
because "while the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier, the EU, the
wannabe superpower, organizes meetings in Brussels."

5. (U) Last Thursday, Post began featuring various IIP
products on Haiti on our websites and Facebook page, with
appropriate updates that will continue for the foreseeable
future. Also, PAS is arranging an upcoming interview for
Polec Officer Darian Arky, who had served in Haiti and speaks
fluent Czech.

Thompson-Jones

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