Cablegate: Latvian Humanitarian Assistance to Haiti

VZCZCXRO1962
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHRA #0031 0191542
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191542Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6241

UNCLAS RIGA 000031

SIPDIS

STATE FOR STACY D. WILLIAMS, MELISSA ROSSER ON HAITI
TASKFORCE ONE, USAID FOR MAURA O'NEILL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PREL PREF LG HA
SUBJECT: LATVIAN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO HAITI

REF: A. SECSTATE 4854
B. SECSTATE 4909

On January 19, we thanked MFA Political Director Peteris
Ustubs for Latvia's contribution of 15,000 Euros (21,420 USD)
to the United Nations emergency appeal for Haiti, announced
January 18. (Ref A) We encouraged Dace Rutka, Head of the MFA
Americas Division to ensure that the Latvian contribution was
recorded and tracked via the UN Office of Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Financial Tracking System (FTS)
and provided her with the relevant web addresses. (Ref B)
Comment: While the Latvian contribution is small, it is
notable given the massive economic downturn here (over 20%
GDP loss in two years). Latvia has been forced to scale back
its foreign assistance programs amid deep budget cuts and
sharp tax hikes, but still contributes to high priority
matters, such as Afghanistan.
GARBER

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