Cc:

Subject:

JimlWHA rep on TF-

Ops Director John Basshas two ·take-back" questions for WHA from his Hill briefing. Could you provide background
and/or talking pts by OOB,Thursdaymorning?

1) What is the status/details of the· offers of assistance from Cuba and Venezuela? Moreover, what has been said pUblicly
by the USG on their offers? Did the USG officially accept these offers in principal as we had all other offers?

2) Has the USG spoken/advised State (Mississippi, Louislana) governments on how to handlethe Venezuela offer?
. .
Tks-
Denny

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED RELEASED IN PART
O-Herron, Petra C
B6@-='
--_"~-b
From: eMS TaskForce1-Director(S/ES-OrrF)
Sent: Friday, September 16. 2005 6:20 PM
To: Katrina Working Group
Cc: SE8-0 eMS
Subject: FW: WHA SITREP. 1500 Sep 16

---OrIginal Message--
From: O"ISTaskForce1N
sent: Friday, September 16,20053:05 PM
To: TaskForee-1
Cc: Creamer, JohnS; TaskForce-1
Subject: WHA SITREP, 1500 Sep 16

Katrina Task Foree

WHA - End of Shift Report
9/16/05 - 1500 hrs

B6
WHA Action Officer
September 16, 2005
0700-1500

PRIORITYIHOT

Mexico: Offer ofMental Health Experts: One psychologist, Rosa Rodriguez Zubiate, was accepted. Cable is
outfor clearance: found on unclass side at I:ffF1/DOCS/CABLES/Acceptance cable-immediate-Mexico Sept
15.
-Action: OFDA asked that I hold on the cab/e. All clearanced received except OFDA and DHHS.
-Action: Sent email to Tony Stint and DBSmith @DHHS 9/166:17 a.m. to ask about clearance status. Follow-
up OOB 9/16.
-Action: OPEN As of 1415 on 16 Sep still awaiting answerfrom OFDA/HHS

Colombia: Civil defense personnel: four personnel will be accepted.

Cable is outfor clearance: found on unclass side at I:ffFI/DOCS/CABLES/Acceptance cable-immediate-
Colombia Sept IS. -
-Action: OFDA (USA/D) asked that I hold on the cable: all clearances have been received, but HHS
'info/clearance is in question
-Action: Sent email to Tony Stint 9/15 10:36 p.m. to ask about clearance status (in COL file)
-Action: OPEN As of 1415 on 16 Sep still awaiting answerfrom OFDAIHHS_

Pending/Closed Items

Trinidad & Tobago: Pledge to Charity: Embassy confirmed via email that T&T pledged $2 million on 09/14
at 09:13. Email sent to WHA/CAR to request cable from Port of Spain when pledge is fulfilled. (04:15)
-Action: Waiting for response, follow up with desk 9/16 a.m.
-Action: Pending Cable should be comingfrom post today; Tim Swanson has drafted it already.

Brazil: Offer 09/09/05: WHAlBSC con finned offer on 09114 via email at 10: 14: Per matrix, FEMA needs to
vet. .
9/15 - OFDA 'rep confirmed USG will not/not accept ofTer.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA . 1
DATE/CASE In: 07 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
I ~s double-checking with Northcom on offer of National Guard assistance.
B6
-Action: FEMA still needs to vet, allow u 9/16 ..
-Action: Closed. ORTHCOM would not accept assistance. Sent to logger to close
out. Desk and em assy cce .

Jamaica: Private donations: Question from post on allowing bank to collect donations then deposit with Emb
cashier. E-mail question went to Donna Bordley.
-Action: Still waitingfor Donna Bordley (RM). Follow-up w/RM rep 9/16 a.m.
-Action: Closed. Instructed post to have GOJ make donations via the Red Cross. Sent to logger, desk and post.

Honduras: Confirm GOH assistance was declined earlier. OFDA rep has confinned USG will not accept offers
from gov't or manufacturing assoc.
-Action: Pending Still waitingfor response if water or partial acceptance is possible; OFDA asked again for
response
-Action: Sent to Matrix keepers. Regarding the private-to-Gov of Honduras. Change the private Honduras
donation to reflect that the donation is to be given to the GOH for transport to the U.S. via cargo ship per
Mandojana e-mail datedI5Sep.5:17PM.This is important because the President ofHonduras will be .
travelling to New Orleans. .

Cuba: Dennison Offut ofOp Center tasks a reply to question John Bass took away from a Hill briefing on the
content ofCuban/Venezuelan offers of assistance, our responses to these offers, and about any advice we've
given to Louisiana and Mississippi on Venezuela's offer to these states.
-Action: Denny Offutt of CMS has asked Cuba desk to re-work their submission, due at 1800 hrs 9/15.
-Provided D Offutt Cuba sample
-Action: Pendillg See Cuba/Ven folder for still in-clearance talking points

Venezuela: Duty officer at Embassy Caracas called with message from DCM: latter had been contacted by .
Minister of Interior saying Venezuela was ready to grant "request" of 16 850 kwgenerators; it could ship 2 in
one of its own planes, but would need USG air assets to ship the rest. Minister did not say which USG or state
agency had made request. WHA Action officer checked matrix; GOV offer of generators was registered 9/13,
listed as FEMA vetting pending. I informed Embassy duty offer to sit on this request; nothing could be done
until FEMA accepted or declined the Venezuelan offer. Duty officer thought GOV was playing with us by
making multiple offers and then pressing for immediate shipment. (23:05)
-Action: Provided D Offutt w/Venezuela update (generators- spoke to DoS-South to confirm) andforwarded
Ven. Response (Cong. Inquiry)
-Action: Pendillg See Cuba/Ven folder for still in-clearance talking points

Guyana- Cable accepting Guyana's offer of cash is drafted, still waiting for post to send cable with
governments offer modifications (9/15 11:00 p.m.) .
Action: Closed. Post cable indicated that GOG will send donations to the American Red Cross and appropriate
NGO's. Cable sent via e-mailfor clearance. Cable indicates thanks for the donation.

Panama: 9/16 a.m. shift needs to contact Red Cross to follow up on in-kind donations from a Panama radio
station (see message from post in Panama folder); sent message to Panama on status of inquiry. .
-Action: Closed. Instructed post to put this private agency in touch with America's Second Harvest at
(800)-771-2303. American Red Cross cannot accept in-king donations. Sent to logger

Panama: 9/15, Panamanian Embassy Officer Pillar Ortega (202.483.1407) asked for assistance in locating 37
missing Panamanians across the three affected states. .
-Action: CA has been informed and-has the lead on this issue. Check in with CA 9/16 a.m. to ascertain
progress.
2

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
-ActiontCtosed CA now has this for action. Appears to be some confusion within "the Panamanian embassy. CA
rep Kim Christman will follow up. Sent to logger and closed.

Costa Rica: Pending 9/16 p.m. shift sent note to TF 3 to update matrix regarding sugar offer. EB indicates
offer will not be accepted. No further action at this time. Old e-mail in folder.

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
Oliva, Amber M
DT lDL
RELEA:SED I~J FULL
From: "
Harris, Michelle F
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 6:03 PM
To: Katrina Working Group; Kotok, Sharon B
Cc: Chagnon, Natalie L; Morrow, Michael K; Tucker, Kelly J
Subject: Katrina Cable Guidance - 100% Declined Offers

Cable Templale -
Thanks No Tha...
KWG Regional Bureau Reps -

Following is guidance for drafting, clearing, transmitting cables declining 100% of a

foreign government's offer of assistance:

Cable template is attached. 'AII content must- be included as drafted in attached.

Please get clearances from TF, L, P, and Regional Bureaus as indicated in attached.

Take one printed copy and an electronic copy on diskette (both including indication of TF,
L, P and. Reg Bureau clearances complete) to Natalie Chagnon in HST 7512. Natalie will
clear for S/ES-CR and deliver to Arnie Chacon for approval and transmission.

Here's the current list of 100% no cables to be drafted:

Nami.bia Brazil
Ph i Ld.pp Lrrea Dominica .
Micronesia EI Salvador
Guat~m~'la
'T' .,
French polynesia:
Estonia ' _ _ Honduras
Poland Paraguay
Hungary Cuba
Serhia Costa Rica
Montenegro Nicaragua
Bulgaria FAO
Croal;ia
Latvia

Thanks,

,Michelle Harris
Special Assistant
Katrina Working Group

UNITED STATES DEP ARTM ENT OF STATE 1

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 13 NOV 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 Message \ UNCLASSIFIED Page 1 of3

------·---e~Herron,Petra-e----~--_·
--RRLEASE:Q~FULL~? ---------------~----

From: Bass, John R (OPS)(S/ES-O)

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 10:33 AM
To: McCarthy, Deborah A
Cc: Harris, Michelle F; SES-Q_CMS; Katrina Working Group
SUbject: FW: Hurricane relief - Latin American countries
(

I think this probably started with you, but just to be certain, would appreciate KWG's help to verify the list of WHA
countries that offered assistance. thanks, JB
-----Origlnal Message-----
From: Simon, John [mailto:John_Simon@nsc,eop.gov]
sent: Tuesday, september 27, 2005 10:19 AM
To: Bass, John R (OPS)
Cc: SES-o_CMS
Subject: FW: Hurricane relief - Latin American countries

Just double checking the list below on Hispanic countries that have offered Hurricane assistance.

From: Cronin, Susan P.

sent: Monday, september 26,20052:11 PM _
To:-Spiller, Katherine S.; DL-NSC-Westem Hemisphere Affairs; Simon, John; Meline, Jed
cc: DL-NSC-Executive Secretary; Newton, Julia K.
Subject: RE: Hurricane relief - Latin American countries

Didn't !Jruguay offer powdered milk and water purification trucks or something. Thought I saw that on the news.

__ _ SU9_CrOnin________ . ~_~ . ~ - - ---

Western Hemisphere NSC
202--456-9138

---Original Message----
From: Spiller, Katherine S.
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 12:49 PM
To: DL-NSC-Westem Hemisphere Affairs; Simon, John; Meline, Jed
ec: DL-NSC-Executive Secretary; Newton, Julia K.
Subject: FW: Hurricane relief - Latin American countries

@WHA
OPL would like our recommendation on Ambassadors to invite for the Hispanic Heritage Month event.
They have a lisl of Latin American countries that offered relief assistance following the hurricanes. Daniel's
email says 4-5 Ambassadors but I have warned him we might feel that more Ambassadors should be
invited. That being said, please look at the list below and let me know what you think is most appropriate.
Also note that Daniel mentions factoring in support for Iraq into our decision, I leave that up to you if you
think that is a relevant deciding factor.

John/Jed
Please verify that the list of countries from State below is correct when compared to your list of foreign aid
contributions.

Thank you-
Katherine
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DA'fYt'fh~dD: 08 SEP 2006 200503991
lJNCLASSIFIED
 Mesl)age Page 2 of3
UNCLASSIFIED

-----Original Message--
From: Garza, Daniel
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 12:38 PM
To: Spiller, Katherine S.
Subject: Hurricane relief - Latin American countries

Katherine: Below is a list of Latin American countries who have stepped up with relief assistance according
to State Dept. Any of these countries overlap with troops in Iraq maybe?
Please recommend 4-5 ambassadors from the listed countries to invite for the Hispanic Heritage event.
imagine Mexico should have one of those slots given their significant commitment.

Please advise ASAP.

Daniel

---Original Message---
---------jFFlro"ftm:-Rojas,Femando D [mailtCY.RojasFO@st8ffte"::J
.g'1f'O'N j ~~------------------
v.....
Sent: Monday, september 26,'200511:05 AM
To: Garza,Daniel
Subject: RE: Anything on the Hurricane relief Latin American countries?

Daniel:

The Latin American countries that offered assistance for Hurricane Katrina are as follows -

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
-- - - - - - - - C h i l e - - - - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- --. - - - - - - - - - . _ - - ------_._-- ._---
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Honduras
Mexico
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Ecuador
EI Salvador
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Venezuela

Just FYI- Other countries in the Western Hemisphere that ~Iso offered (though not of Hispanic heritage):
The Bahamas. Barbados. Canada. Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Trinidad and Tobago.

Also please note - the Organization of Americans States also offered $25.000 and opened a fund for
member countries to donate to.

Finally - While Cuba has made an offer: we should not include it in any White House acknowledgement.

On acknowledgement of Venezuela, I lrust NSC will decide.

I've been promised the latest on which offers we've accepted, but I don't want to hard you up. I will send it
as soon as I get my hands on it.

UNCLASSIFIED
7/19/2006
 Message Page 3 of3
UNCLASSIFIED

Best regards,

Fernando

Fernando D. Rojas
Senior Advisorto AmbassadorJohn F. Maisto
U.S.PermanentMissionto the Organization of AmericanStates (OAS)
Bureauof Westem Hemisphere Affairs
U.S. Departmentof State
Washington, D.C. 20520
(202) 647-9482

From: Garza, Daniel (mailto:DanieLGarza@who.eop.gov]

~nt: Friday, september 23,20052:14 PM
To: Rojas, Fernando 0
Subject: Anything on the Hurricane relief latin American countries?

7/19/2006
UNCLASSIFIED
 Message ~, Page 1 0[2
'.,,' ', -- '" UNCLASSIFIED

O'Herron, Petra C .

From: CMS TaskForce3E

Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 7:28 PM
To: CMS TaskForce1N
RELEASED IN FULL
Cc: ,. TaskForce-1
Subject: RE: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Would we care to reflect the generous Cuban offer on our executive summary for PA purposes?

. -----Original Message----
From: CMS TaskForcelN
. Sent: Thursday, september 08,20057:27 PM
To: TaskForce-3
Cc: Embrey, Edgar L; TaskForce-!
Subject: FW: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Please see information provided below from WHA regarding Cuban government offer of assistance.

-----Original Message-----
From: Embrey, Edgar L
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 20056:33 PM
To: TaskForce-!
Cc: SES-O_CMS
Subject: FW: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Task Force Katrina: Please see message below from WHNCCA regarding receipt of diplomatic note with
formal Cuban Government offer of assistance - 1,586 doctors and 36 tons of unspecified material. Note
that any communication with the Cubans should be through WHNCCA. WHAlCCA POC for the Cubans is
Tim Zuniga-Brown or John A. Regan.

Edgar L. Embrey
WHNPPC
7-6365

From: Benson, James H

sent: Thursday, september 08, 2005 6:21 PM
To: Embrey, Edgar L
Subject: FW: Offidal Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Ed. Please pass to the Task Force and highlight the caveats.

Thanks .

. Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHAlPPC
Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATfWlA§~QD:11 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
M~ssag~_. Page 2 of2
iJ - '.. UNCLASSIFIED
. .

From: Regan, John A

Sent: Thursday, September 08, 20056:19 PM
To: WHA-PPC
Cc: Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
SUbject: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Jim - .; Also, as you saw by the press guidance, the Task Force needs to be updated that the
Cuban offer is now official- -1586 doctors and 36 tons of unspecified material. It was
delivered via dipnote this afternoon. POC must be the Cuba desk (Tim Zuniga-Brown or
myself)•.. all Cuba stuff has to go tbrough the desk because of the sensitivities involved,
Cubans are not allowed to be contacted directly.

Thanks.

7/10/2006 UNCLASSIFIED
 ,
,\ ,~.
... - - ('
UNCLASSIFIED. 7j8
WHA Press Guidance
RELEASE~LL
September 6, 2005

Cuba: Reaction to offer of aid for Hurricane Katrina Victims

Q:

Is there any reaction to the offer of Hurricane assistance made on

. Friday by Cuban leader Fidel Castro?

A:

• WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OFFER AND WE HAVE

INDICATED THAT ALL OFFERS OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

~'.':, r:~ \ .WILL

'. .: " .'. ; BE ACCEPTED
. IN PRINCIPLE. OUR DISASTER
'! . < : i

,', MANAGEMENT EXPERTS WILL ASSESS IT IN LiGHT OF.OUR

POSSIBLE NEEDS AND U.S. LAW.

• WE RECOGNIZE THAT CUBA MA Y HAVE A MORE PRESSING

NEED OF ASSISTING THEIR OWN PEOPLE WHO WERE

DEYASTATED BY HURRICANE DENNIS JUST A FEW WEEKS

AGO, AND DO NOT WANT TO DIMINISH THE AID FLOWING

TO THOSE CUBANS WHO ARE IN AS MUCH NEED AS THOSE

IN THE GULF COAST.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE 10: 26 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
,,
~

UNCLASSIFIED

Background: In a speech on Friday September 2, Cuban leader Fidel

Castro offered assistance to the Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Castro initially offered to send 1,100 doctors and at least 26 tons of supplies
and equipment, but on Sunday during a televised speech he announced that
he had increased the number of physicians to 1,586. According to Castro,
each doctor would carry about 27 pounds of medicine.

t::, . ,,, .
, , I ',

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

Drafted: Jo1m Regan x 7-9389

Cleared:

WHAlFO: DFisk
WHNCCA:· TZuniga-Brown (ok)
LIWHA: KHooke (ok)
SIP: PLevy (ok)
P: CEcheverria (ok)
EB: JKnight (info)
WHAlPDA: EDetter (ok)
WHAlPA: EWatnik (ok)
Katrina Task Force: ok per Jim Benson in WHAlPPC

,~. , ".
.;:", .,.
, :.; . ~

i .

UNCLASSIFIED
....', ...._ ...Message
" \~
Page 2 of2
UNCLASSIFIED
Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHAlPPC
Voice: (202)647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450

From: Regan, John A

Sent: Thursday, September 08,20056:19 PM
To: WHA-PPC
Cc: Zuniga-Brown, Timothy p .
Subject: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Jim - - Also, as you saw by the press guidance, the Task Force needs to be updated that the
Cuban offer is now official - - 1586 doctors and 36 tons of unspecified material. It was
delivered via dipnote this afternoon. poe must be the Cuba desk (Tim Zuniga-Brown or
myself)..• all Cuba stuff has to go through the desk because ofthe sensitivities involved,
Cubans are not allowed to be contacted directly.

'Thanks.

7/7/2006
UNCLASSIFIED
.}v1~s~.age Page 1 of2
UNCLASSIFIED

.O'Herron, Petra C DE.L.>

From: CMS TaskForce1 N
Sent: Thursday, September 08,20058:01 PM
To: Regan, John A; Benson, James H
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: FW: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force RELEASED IN FULL

-----Original Message-----
From: CMS TaskForce3E
sent: Thursday, September 08,2005 7:28 PM
To: CMS TaskForcelN
Cc: TaskForce-l .
Subject: RE: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the TaskForce

Would we care to reflect the generous Cuban offer on our executive summary for PA purposes?

-----Original Message-----
From: CMS TaskForcelN
sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 7:27 PM
To: TaskForce-3
Cc: Embrey, Edgar L; TaskForce-l
Subject: FW: Offidal Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Please see information provided below from WHA regarding Cuban government-offer of assistance.

---Original Message--·_·
From: Embrey, Edgar L
sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 6:33 PM
To: TaskForce-1
Cc: SES-O_CMS
Subject: FW: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Task Force Katrina: Please see message below from WHNCCA regarding receipt of diplomatic note with
formal Cuban Government offer of assistance - 1,586 doctors and 36 tons of unspecified material. Note
that any communication with the Cubans should be through WHNCCA. WHNCCA POC for the Cubans is
Tim Zuniga-Brown or John A. Regan.

Edgar L. Embrey
WHNPPC
7-6365

From: Benson, James H

sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 6:21 PM
To: Emb~y,EdgarL .
Subject: FW: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Ed, Please pass to the Task Force and highlight the caveats.

UNIT~~ TES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVlitW 'AUTHORlTY: FRANK TUMlVIINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 25 SEP 2006 200503991

7/7/2006
UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
O'Herron, Petra C . ;]);11/9
From:
Sent:
Offutt, Denison K
Thursday. September 15. 2005 1:44 PM
. RELEASED IN FULL
To: TaskForce-1; AOC Task Force 1F(Arlington)
Subject: Action: FW: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers - Cuba; Staffers pis log

WHA Rep-

In follow-up to my previous, guidance on the Cuba offer. Please format same as the Venezuela guidance that was just
forwarded.

Tks-

Denny

-----Original Message---
From: Benson, James H
sent: Wednesday, 5eptember 14, 2005 5:08 PM
To: Offutt, Denison K
Subject: RE: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers

Denny, By and large we have been relying on the Task Force to tell us what the decisions are vis a vis all of the offers,
including those of Cuba and Venezuela. The Cuba offer has been neither accepted nor rejected. The Venezuela offer of
a $1 million donation to the Red Cross has been accepted, though I do not know if we can confirm that they carried it out.
As for the rest, I do not have any further information beyond that contained in the matrix. It is my understanding that we
did/did accept the offers from both in principal along with all of the others. 'have not seen any evidence that we have said
anything publicly about either offer, but the following guidance was drafted and cleared for use. I have not seen that it has
been employed yet:

9-9 Katrina
Update.doc

2. I understand the desk has been in contact with the state governments regarding the offers, but I'm not sure you could
characterize their discussions as "advice." Bruce Friedman (7-3360) suggested you give him a call to clarify the
Venezuela issues. "

Hope this helps.

Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHAlPPC
Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450

From: Offutt, Denison K

sent: Wednesday, september 14, 20054:00 PM
To: Benson, James Ii; TaskForce-!
Cc: eMS TaskForcel-Director; Bass, JohnR (OPS); Morrow, Michael K; SES-Q_CMS; Brown,Bruce .
Subject: Follow-up to questions from senateStaffers

JimlWHA rep on TF-

Ops Director John Bass has two "take-back" questions for WHA from his Hill briefing. Could you provide background
and/or talking pts by OOB, Thursday morning?

1) What is the status/details of the offers of assistance from Cuba and Venezuela? Moreover, what has been said publicly
by the USG on their offers? Did the USG officially accept these offers in principal as we had all other offers?
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 27 SEP'2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
Williams, Devin M RELEASED IN FULL
From: CMS TaskForce1N
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 20058:01 PM
To: Regan, John A; Benson, James H
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: FW: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

-----Original Message-----
From: CMS TaskForce3E
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 7:28 PM
To: CMS TaskForcelN
Cc: TaskForce-l
Subject; RE: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

~Uld we care to teflect

purposes?
the generous Cuban offer on our executive summary for :::J
-----Original Message-----
From: CMS TaskForce1N
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 7:27 PM
To: TaskForce-3
Cc: Embrey, Edgar L; TaskForce-l
Subject: FW: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Please see information provided below from WHAregarding Cuban government offer of
assistance.

-----Original Message-----
From: Embrey, Edgar L
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 6:33 PM
To: TaskForce-1
Cc: SES-O CMS
Subject: FW; Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Task Force Katrina: Please see message below from WHA/CCA regarding receipt of
diplomatic note with formal Cuban Government offer of assistance - 1,586 doctors and 36
tons of unspecified material. Note that any communication with the Cubans should be
through WHA/CCA. WHA/CCA POC for the Cubans is Tim Zuniga-Brown or John A. Regan.

Edgar L. Embrey
WHA/PPC
7-6365

From; Benson, James H

Sent: Thursday, September 08, 20056:21 PM
To: Embrey, Edgar L
Subject: FW: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Ed, Please pass to the Task Force and highlight the caveats.

Thanks.

Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHA/PPC
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
7
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE 10: 16 NOV 2006 200503991 lTNCLASSIFIED
 ... UNCLASSIFIED
voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450

From: Regan, John A

Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 6:19 PM
To: WHA-PPC
Cc: Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
Subject: Official Cuban Offer - Pass to the Task Force

Jim - - Also, as you saw by the press guidance, the Task Force needs to be updated
that the Cuban offer is now official - - 1586 doctors and 36 tons of un~pecified material.
It was delivered via dipnote this afternoon. POC must be the Cuba desk (Tim Zuniga-Brown
or myself) ... all Cuba stuff has to go through the desk because of the sensitivities
involved, Cubans are not allowed to be contacted directly.

Thanks.

8
UNCLASSIFIED
 .UNCLASSIFIED
O'Herron, Petra C RELEASED IN FULL
From: Kane, Eileen H
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 1:09 PM
To: Jordan, Darla A(PAlPRS)
Cc: Harris, Michelle F; McCarthy, Deborah A
Subject: RE: Press Inquiries on Katrina Assistance

Darla: I have been tasked to put together a matrix this afternoon of most recent, but
will have to check as the matrix is very close hold. We are hoping to get a PA person on
the tak force and update our talkers soonest. Eileen

-----Original Message-----
From: Jordan, Darla A
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 1:01 PM
To: Kane, Eileen H(IIP/T/GIC)
Subject: RE: Press Inquiries on Katrina Assistance

Thanks. Just got a few more:

1) What is the total amount of foreign assistance that has been offered?
2) What is the total amount of foreign assistance that has been accepted?
3) Is there an updated list of the countries and offers that have been
accepted?

-----Original Message-----
From: Kane, Eileen H
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 12:40 PM
To: Jordan, Darla A(PA/PRS)
Cc: Martinez, Eduardo J
Subject: RE: Press Inquiries on Katrina Assistance

My matrix shows that CUba has offered aid, but it says that all questions
need to be directed to the CUba desk. The regional bureaus each have their
own ~ontact and can confirm whether assistance has been accpted or not and
status for each conountry that has offered. Eduardo Martinez is the WHA
coordinator.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jordan, Darla A
Sent: Tuesday, september 20, 2005 12:23 PM
To: Kane, Eileen H(IIP/T/GIC)
SUbject: RE: Press Inquiries on Katrina Assistance

Thank you very much. I received a separate inquiry on the status of Cuba'S
offer of doctors. Can you please give me an update on that? How have we
responded? Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kane, Eileen H
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 10:45 AM
To: Jordan, Darla A(PA/PRS)i Katrina Working Group
Subject: RE: Press Inquiries on Katrina Assistance

Darla: I have quickly looked through. our latest matrix and I have spotted
nothing on "pharmaceuticals" though there are many o.f f e r s of medical
etmtfEBns).l.p~slJ}tprRq,~t!klopnstlfMld have also come with their own
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA 1
DATE/CASE In: 07 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
supplies. A lot of water treatment tablets have been offered. Unless one
of the other team members know otherwise, items are being held at the
warehouse at the Little Rock AFB, though some may be held in some other
staging locations. Please e-mail me directly if you have a more specific
question due to press concerns. At this juncture, all equipment must be in
the U.S. by September 23.

Eileen Kane
Katrina Virtual Working Group
IIP-ECA

-----Original Message-----
From: Jordan, Darla A(PA/PRS)
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 4:29 PM
To: Katrina Working Group
. Subject: Press Inquiries on Katrina Assistance

Hello. Can you assist in obtaining the following info? Thanks!

1) Which countries have sent pharmaceutical items? How are these items
being distributed? Are they being held up by any regulations?
2) Where are the items (all, not pharmaceutical) that have not been
distributed being stored?

Darla A. Jordan
Press Officer·
U.S. Department of State
(202) 647-4430

lJNCLAS SIFIED
 uNCLASSIFIED·
/
Oliva, Amber M
RELEl\:SED I~q FULL
From: CMS TaskForce1 N
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 2:30 PM
To: Regan, John A; Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
Cc: Offutt, Denison K; TaskForce-1
Subject: Cuba taken-question from Senate Staff

John and Tim:

John Bass asks that you prepare your submission in similar format to the Venezuelan (which
I will send via separate e-mail) .
The main focus should be the exact contents of the Cuban diplomatic note which formally
notified us of their offer, and not the Cuban spin.
Mr. Bass also needs to answer the question of whether the U.S. government provisionally
accepted the Cuban offer as was directed in the ALDAC.
It may be beneficial to include your guidance on the status of the accep~ance as part of
this package.

Please send this CMS Coordinator Denny Offutt by 6:00 p.m.

Thank you,
Alison Shorter-Lawrence
WHA Rep
TFl

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE I D: 19 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 1-
..... ~
'.
II' _.~::- ..•.
lTNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
WHA Press Guidance
September 9~ 2005

Cuba: Response to offer of aid for Hurricane Katrina Victims \

Q:. Is there any reaction to the offer of Hurricane assistance made on

Friday by Cuban leader Fidel Castro?

A:

• WE APPRECIATE THE MANY OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE WE

HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL

. COMMUNITY. WITH REGARD TO THE OFFER OF

ASSISTANCE 1~~QM GJJBA, WE ENCOURAGE CUBA TO '. '" ..; ~:. '.' ..
:,~: ';:'~"':"~'1~~' " ··'~.~.:~~7'h· ":~", r- ~~, .' I'
..." .
INSTEAD USE TIm RESOURCES IT OFFERED TO THE U.S. TO
HELP THE CUBAN PEOPLE AND TO BETTER ASSIST

RECOVERY EFFORTS OF THOSE CUBANS WHO WERE

DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE DENNIS JUST A FEW WEEKS

AGO. WHILE THE CASTRO REGIME REJECTED U.S.

ASSISTANCE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE HURRICANE, WE

WERE PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE

DIRECTLY TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE THROUGH NON-

GOVERNNIENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, BUT THERE ARE STILL

MANY CUBANS WHO LACK BASIC SERVICES.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANh: TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE 10: 19 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

Background: On September 8, 2005 Cuban officials delivered via

diplomatic note anoffer of 1,586 doctors and 36 tons of unspecified material
to assist in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Castro had made the offer
informally in a national address on Friday September 2 and repeated the
offer in a propaganda speech on Sunday September 4.

.; \':. :
~ , ';: .'

'! -,

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED .

Drafted: John Regan x 7-9389

Cleared:

WHAlFO: DFisk -
WHNCCA: TZuniga-Brown (ok)
LIWHA: KHooke (ok)
SIP: PLevy(ok)
P: CEcheverria
WHNPDA: EDetter (ok)
WHNPA: JEdmonson
NSC: KMadison (ok)
S:
Katrina Task Force:
i
I

.•~ 1 ,~;' :'..'::.' " ~

- : ::<.~: <i l·· ..." •

-
... ~ ,:~: ,

UNCLASSIFIED
- - -----.-. ---'-----
 ~CLASSIFIED DL yq
Choi, Martino"1 RELEASED IN FULL
From: Offutt, Denison K
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 20054:00 PM
To: Benson, James H; TaskForce-1
Cc: CMS TaskForce1-Director; Bass, John R (OPS); Morrow, Michael K; SES-O_CMS: Brown,
Bruce .
Subject: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers

Jim/WHA rep on TF-

Ops Director John Bass has two "take-back" questions for WHA from his Hill briefing.
Could you provide background and/or talking pts by OOB, Thursday morning?

1} What is the status/details of the offers of assistance from Cuba and Venezuela?
Moreover, what has been said publicly by the USG on their offers? Did the USG officially
accept these offers in principal as we had all other offers?

2} Has the USG spoken/advised State (Mississippi, Louisiana}-governments on how to handle

the Venezuela offer?

Tks-
Denny

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA 1
DATE/CASE ID: 18 OCT 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
 ,
UNCLASSIFIED DL50 I .

Choi, Martino I RELEASED IN FULL

From: Brown, Bruce A
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 20055:22 PM
To: Bass. John R (OPS)
Subject: Follow-up

Again thanks for doing the brief. Just to recap, the two main followup issues from the
meeting:

1. our plans to publicize the assistance offers from foreign governments ..

2. details on what cuba/venezeuela have offered- and to whom, state or federal - and what
our reaction has been (other senators are also asking, e.g. pat roberts (R-KA)

Thanks,

Bruce Brown

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORlTY: FRANK TUMMINIA 1
DATE/CASE ID: 18 OCT 2006 200503991
lTNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED DLSq
Choi, Martino I RELEASED IN FULL
From: Offutt, Denison K
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 5:58 PM
To: Bass, John R (OPS)
Cc: Morrow, Michael K
Subject: FW: Cuban Senate inquiry -- Venezuela example

Attachments: Congressional Query Katrina.doc; 9-6 Katrina Assistance.doc: 9-8 press taken question
Katrina.doc

~
~
Congressional 9-6 Katrina ~8 presstaken
Query Katrina.do... ,Assistance.doc question Katri...
Cuba is attached. Venezuela is done, but pending a
fact check (State South seems to be "working" the issue).

Denny

-----Original Message-----
From: CMS TaskForcelN
Sent: Thursday, September IS, 2005 5:36 PM
To: Offutt, Denison K
Cc: TaskForce-l
Subject: FW: Cuban Senate inquiry Venezuela example

-----Original Message-----
From: Regan, John A
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 5:19 PM
To: CMS TaskForcelNi Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
Cc: TaskForce-l
Subject: RE: Cuban Senate inquiry -- Venezuela example

Per the request below, please find the submission on Cuba, as weli as the two previously
cleared press guidances on Katrina assistance.

Thanks.

-~---Original Message-----
From: CMS TaskForce1N
Sent: Thursday, september 15, 2005 2:33 PM
To: Regan, John Ai zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: Cuban Senate inquiry -- Venezuela example

Dear John and Tim:

Per my other e-mail, here is the Venezuela submission.
Please use this as a guide.

If you have any questions, please contact eMs Coordinator Denny Offutt.

Thanks,
Alison Shorter-Lawrence
WHA Rep
TFl
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 18 OCT 2006 200503991
lJNCLASSIFIED
 I
../~

UNCLASSIFIED DL S9 A
RELEASED IN FULL

Cuba Katrina Assistance

What has Cuba offered?

• 1,586 Doctors
• 36 tons of material, unspecified

What is the status of Cuba's offer ofassistance?

• As of September 15, we have not accepted nor rejected the offer of
assistance. WHA feels strongly that we should not accept the assistance;
that it would undermine U.S. foreign policy in regards to Cuba, and that the
offer was made for political purposes.

Wh~t has the U.S. said publicly about the offers?

• .On September 6 we issued press guidance stating that the offer was accepted in
principle, but that it was being assessed in light of current needs. The guidance .
further noted the needs of the Cuban people in the aftermath of destruction in Cuba
from Hurricane Dennis. The guidance did not mention the specifics of the offer. .,
I
• On September 8, in response to a taken question, we acknowledged the offer again,
but did not mention specifics.

... On September 6, the Department Spokesman noted Cuba's offer in the

Department's daily briefing, acknowledging our acceptance in principle and noting
/
that we would look to match needs.

i·

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE 10: 18 OCT 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
 ·,
-:"\,
. ' ~ UNCLASSIFIED

Drafted: John Regan x 7-9389

Cleared:

WHAlFO: DFisk
WHAiCCA: TZuniga-Brown (ok)
LIWHA: KHooke (ok)
SIP: PLevy (ok)
P: CEcheverria (ok)
EB: JKnight (info)
WHAlPDA: EDetter (ok)
WHAlPA: EWatnik (ok)
Katrina Task Force: . ok per Jim Benson in WHAlPPC

UNCLASSIFIED
 - .., UNCLASSIFIED
f

DLS9.~
RELEASED IN FULL '
WHA Press Guidance
September 6, 2005

Cuba: Reaction to offer of aid for Hurricane Katrina Victims

Q:

Is there any reaction to the offer of Hurricane assistance made on

Friday by Cuban leader Fidel Castro?

A:

•. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OFFER ANp WE HAVE

INDICATED THAT ALL OFFERS OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

WILL BE ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE. OUR DISASTER

MANAGEMENT EXPERTS WILL ASSESS IT IN LIGHT OF OUR

POSSIBLE NEEDS AND U.S. LAW.

• WE RECOGNIZE THAT CUBA MAY HAVE A MORE PRESSING

NEED OF ASSISTING THEIR OWN PEOPLE WHO WERE

DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE DENNIS JUST A FEW WEEKS

AGO, AND DO NOT WANT TO DIMINISH THE AID FLOWING

TO THOSE CUBANS WHO ARE IN AS MUCH NEED AS THOSE

IN THE GULF COAST.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 18 OCT 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

Background: In a speech on Friday September 2, Cuban leader Fidel

Castro offered assistance to the Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Castro initially offered to send I, I00 doctors and at least 26 tons of supplies
and equipment, but on Sunday during a televised speech he announced that
he had increased the number of physicians to 1,586.' According to Castro,
each doctor would carry about 27 pounds of medicine.

t.

UNCLASSIFIED
 i .,
.-
lJNCLASSIFIED ..DL 59 (,-
RELEASED IN FULL
WHA Press Guidance
September 8, 2005

Taken Question: Cuba and Hurricane Katrina Assistance

Q:

Respond to media reportstbat the United States bas not replied to

Cuba's offer of general hurricane assistance. Wbat exactly bas Cuba
offered? Have we been in contact with tbe Cuban government?
A:

THERE WAS A FORMAL OFFER OF ASSISTANCE MADE TODAY

BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA IN HAVANA AND IN

WASHINGTON, DC VIA DIPLOMATIC NOTE. WE ARE ASSESSING

OUR NEEDS AND WILL RESPOND TO OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE AS I

DECISIONS ARE MADE.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE In: 18 OCT 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

Drafted: John Regan x 7-9389

S:\CCA\Press Guidance & Releases\9-8 taken question Katrina.doc

WHAlFO: DFisk (OK)

WHA/CCA: TZuniga-Brown (ok)
LIWHA: KHooke (ok)
SIP: PLevy (ok)
P: CEcheverria (ok)
WHAlPDA: EDetter (ok)
WHAlPA: JEdmonson (OK)
Katrina Task Force: (Info)

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED I
O'Herron, Petra C .~
(ULEAgED
From: CMS TaskForce1N
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 5:36 PM
To: Offutt, Denison K
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: FW: Cuban Senate inquiry -- Venezuela example

Congresslonal 9-6 Katrina 9-8 press taken

Query Katrlna.do... Asslstance.doc question Katri...

-----Original Message-----
From: Regan, John A
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 5:19 PM
To: CMS TaskForce1N; Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
Cc: TaskForce-l
Subject: RE: Cuban Senate inquiry -- Venezuela example

Per the request below, please find the submission on Cuba, as well as the two previously
cleared press guidances'on Katrina assistance.
Thanks.

-----Original Message----~
From: CMS TaskForcelN
Sent: Thursday, September 15:' 2005.2:33 PM
To: Regan, John A; Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: Cuban Senate inquiry -- Venezuela example

Dear John and Tim:

Per my other e-mail, here ls the Venezuela submission.
Please use this as a guide.

If you have any questions, please contact CMS Coordinator Denny Offutt.

Thanks,
Alison Shorter-Lawrence
WHA Rep
TFl

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 26 SEP 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 f.,. .... _...:__ ~>,
UNCLASSIFIED D
~tt!A5t!f) J; ~ik"""L-
i
Oliva, Amber'M

From: Regan, John A

Sent: Thursday, September 15,2005 9:19 AM
To: eMS TaskForce1N /
Cc: Friedman, Bruce W; TaskForce-1; Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on CubaNenezuelan offers of
Assistance

9-8 press taken 9-6 Katrina

question Katri.•• Asslstance.doc
The Cuban offer of assistance, made on September B via diplomatic
note both in Havana and washington, DC consisted of 1,5B6 doctors and 36 tons of
unspecified materials, presumed to be medicinal supplies.

Attached are the two cleared press guidances on the subject.

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From: CMS TaskForce1N

Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:47 PM
To: Regan, John A
Cc: Friedman, Bruce W; TaskForce-I'
Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on Cuba/Venezuelan offers
of Assistance

Thanks, John. Could you draft the Cuba part of this answer, basically just summarizing
Cuba's offer, and then including our cleared press guidance: John Bass::,wants:iit by 10 am
",' "5', tOmorrow.' m o r n i n g . ' , - ! , , ' , ' : :C' " '!":\ :":l~' '.' ,:,:
;,," ;~-----original Message----- c:,' -r
From: Regan, John A
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:18 PM
To: CMS TaskForce1N
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
Cuba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance

The press guidance sent out was NOT/NOT cleared for use. It was sent around to ask
for views, and we received substantial push-back from the 7th floor that has yet to be
resolved.

Attached to this message is the only cleared guidance that we have used regarding
Cuba. Thanks.

« File: 9-8 press taken question Katrina.doc » Error! Not a valid embedded
object.

From: CMS TaskForce1N

Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:14 PM
To: Regan, John A
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: FW: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on Cuba/Venezuelan
offers of Assistance

-----Original Message~----
From: CMS TaskForce1N
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:09 PM
To: Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMJNIA
DATE/CASE 10: 09 NOV 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 Cc: TaskForce-1
UNCLASSIFIED
Subject: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers· on Cuba/Venezuelan
offers of Assistance

Would appreciate your help quick! Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: Benson, James H
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 5;58 PM
To: CMS TaskForcelN
Subject: FW: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers

Mike, Here is what I sent Denny Offut.

Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHA!PPC
Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax; (202) 736-7450

From: Benson, James H

Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 5;08 PM
To: Offutt, Denison K
Subject: RE: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers

Denny, By and large we have been relying on the Task Force to tell us what the
decisions are vis a vis all of the offers, including those of Cuba and Venezuela. The
Cuba offer has been neither accepted nor rejected. The Venezuela offer of a $1 million
donation to the Red Cross has been accepted, though I do not know if we can confirm that
they carried it out. As for the rest, I do not have any further information beyond that
contained in the matrix. It is my understanding that we did/did accept the offers from
both in principal along with all of the others. I have not seen any evidence that we have
said anything publicly about either offer, but the following guidance was drafted and
c l eaz-ed {orus.e"" ,I have not seen that it has been employed yet; "'Y;' A,:",.:~'·'
:,' '':, 'j'tll;e::"i~,'-~ Katrina Update.doc » . ", ;" '~<';:' ':,;
2. I.understand the desk has been in contact with the state governments regarding
the offers, "but I I m not sure you could characterize their discussions as "advice." Bruce
Friedman (7-3360) suggested you give him a call to clarify the Venezuela issues.

Hope this helps.

Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHA/PPC
Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450

From: Offutt, Denison K

Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 4:00 PM
To: Benson,James H: TaskForce-1
Cc: CMS TaskForce1-Director; Bass, JohnR (OPS); Morrow, Michael K; SES-O_CMS;
Brown, Bruce
Subject: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers

Jim/WHA rep on TF-

Ops Director John Bass has two "take-back" questions for WHA from his Hill briefing.
Could you provide background and/or talking pts by OOB, Thursday morning?

1} What is the status/details of the offers of assistance from Cuba and Venezuela?
Moreover, what has been said pUblicly by the USG on their offers? Did the USG officially
accept these offers in principal as we had all other offers?

UNCLASSIFIED
 1) Has the USG spoken/advised s~C1~i1?s§l~I~t?ouisiana)governments on how to
handle the Venezuela offer?

Tks-
Denny

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

WHA Press Guidance

September 8, 2005
RELEASJ }@L"t--t
Taken Question: Cuba and Hurricane Katrina Assistance

Q:

Respond to media reports that the United States has not replied to
Cuba's offer of general hurricane assistance. What exactly has Cuba
offered? ·Have we been in contact with the Cuban government?
A:

THERE WAS A FORMAL OFFER OF ASSISTANCE MADE TODAY

BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CUBA IN HAVANA AND IN

WASHINGTON, DC VIA DIPLOMATIC NOTE. WE ARE ASSESSING

OUR NEEDSANDWI~g,RE'SPONDTO OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE AS

DECISIONS ARE MADE.

LJNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW ALJTHORITY: FRANK TLJMMINIA
DA TE/CASE 10: 09 NOV 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 lJNCLASSIFIED

Drafted: John Regan x 7-9389

C:\Documents and Settings\OlivaAM\Local Settings\Temporary Internet
Files\OLK207\9-8 press taken question Katrina (2).doc

WHAJFO: DFisk (OK)

WHAJCCA: TZuniga-Brown (ok)
L/WHA: KHooke (ok)
SIP: . PLevy (ok)
P: CEcheverria (ok)
WHA/PDA: EDetter (ok)
WHAJPA: lEdmonson (OK)
Katrina Task Force: . (Info)

:' <.

UNCLASSIFIED
 ' . ~ - --.- '\ - UNCLASSIFIED

WHA Press Guidance

September 6, 2005
RELEASE~~~&kL

Cuba: Reaction to offer of aid for Hurricane Katrina Victims

Q:

Is there any reaction to the offer of Hurricane assistance made on

Friday by Cuban leader Fidel Castro? '

A:

• WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OFFER AND WE HAVE

INDICATED THAT ALL OFFERS OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

. ~, ' ",~JLLBr:,ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE. OUR DISASTER "

' .. -, .,,'.

,MANAGEMENT EXPERTS WILL ASSESS IT IN LIGHT OF OUR

I
POSSIBLE NEEDS AND U.S. LAW.

• WE RECOGNIZE THAT CUBA MA Y HAVE A MORE PRESSING

NEED OF ASSISTING THEIR OWN PEOPLE WHO WERE

DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE DENNIS JUST A FEW WEEKS

AGO, AND DO NOT WANT TO DIMINIS~ THE AID F,LOWING

TO THOSE CUBANS WHO ARE IN AS MUCH NEED AS THOSE

IN THE GULF COAST.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUlVIMINIA
DATE/CASE 10: 09 NOV 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

Background: In a speech on Friday September 2, Cuban leader Fidel

Castro offered assistance to the Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Castro initially offered to send 1,100 doctors and at least 26 tons of supplies
and equipment, but on Sunday during a televised speech he announced that
he had increased the number of physicians to 1,586. According to Castro,
each doctor would carry about 27 pounds of medicine.

,
\' • ";~ \'; I~ <"'l " .... . ~., :
. 't I' :!.;-~:( '.. ; t" ." ..,,' .,
" '0"
, '

UNCLASSIFIED
---~_.~ ---~-
. . , UNCLASSIFIED

Drafted: John Regan x 7-9389

Cleared:

WHAlFO:' DFisk
WHNCCA: TZuniga-Brown (ok)
LIWHA: KHooke (ok),
SIP: PLevy (ok) i
P: CEcheverria (ok) ,
EB: JKnight (info)
WHAlPDA: EDetter (ok)
WHAlPA: EWatnik (ok)
ok per Jim Benson in WHAlPPC ' ,
r •

Katrina Task Force: ,

;'., . "' -;i

.h.' 't.
'.

"
. '.,:
'
.;~ "

: ,; ' I
I

UNCLASSIFIED
-", '.'.
j,
-.Jl>' ~ l'
,
,
uNCLASSIFIED
Oliva, Amber M
RELEASED IN FULL
From: Friedman, Bruce W
Sent: Thursday, September 15,2005 10:31 AM
To: CMS TaskForce1 N; Cue, Lourdes C
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on CubaNenezuelan offers of
Assistance

Got it.

>=-------==--=-=--=-::-:-----=-::-----------
>From: CMS TaskForcelN
>Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:30 AM
>To: Friedman, Bruce W
>Cc: TaskPorce-l
>Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up ,to questions from Senate Staffers on CUba/Venezuelan
offers of Assistance
>
>The deadline was lOam so I was following-up.
>I'll advise John Bass that you are running down one last bit of info and plan to have it
up by 11am.
>
>Thanksfor the update,
:>Alison
>
> ----~Original Message-----
>From: Friedman, Bruce W
:>Sent: Thursday, september 15, 2005 10:28 AM
:>To: CMS TaskForcelN; Benson, James H; Cue, Lourdes C
:>Cc: TaskForce-1; Taskporce-l
:>Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from: Senate 'staffers on Cuba/Venezuelan
offers of Assistance
::>
::> Right. We got the doc. Trying to run down one piece of info that PDAS Shapiro
wanted added. Should be able to do it within the half-hour. Do you absolutely need it
now?
>
::>
>=F:-r-o-m-:-------=C=-M=-=S=-=T=-a-s:-k=-=P-o-r-c-e-=l:-:N-=-----------
>Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:23 AM
>To: Friedman, Bruce W; Benson, James H; Cue, Lourdes C
>Cc: TaskForce-I; TaskPorce-1
>Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on Cuba/Venezuelan
offers of Assistance
>
>Good Morning:
>I'd like to follow-up on the status of the Venezuela "take back" questions for Ops Center
Dir. John Bass.
::>
>Thanks,
>Alison Shorter-Lawrence
>WHA Rep
>TFI
>
:> -----Original Message-----
> ' From:
Friedman, Bruce W
:> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 7:30 AM
> To: CMS TaskForcelN; Benson, James H; Cue, Lourdes C
> Cc: TaskForce-1
> Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
Cuba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance
>
:> Yes.
UNITED STATES DEPARTM ENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE 10: 09 NOV 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
 >; UNCLASSIFIED
>
> From: , CMS TaskForce1N
> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 8:00 PM
> To: Friedman, Bruce Wi Benson, James Hj Cue, Lourdes C
> Cc: TaskForce-1
> Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
Cuba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance
>
> Bruce, is that feasible for you?
> -----Original Message-----
,. From: Friedman, Bruce W
> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 7:42 PM
> To: eMS TaskForce1N;'Benson, James Hi Cue, Lourdes C
> Cc: TaskForce-1
,. Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
CUba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance
,.
,. Talked to John thi~ evening. He said to send the answers to him by 10
am tomorrow~
:>'
:>'
:>' From: CMS TaskForcelN
:>' Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 7:30 PM
:>' To: Benson, James H
,. Cc: Friedman, Bruce Wi TaskForce~l
:>' Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
Cuba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance
,.
,. Jim, the tasking from Dennie Offut was for something to be ready by oob
tomorrow. I have no idea why it is so urgent, especially since it was a take-away
question, but that's what I was told.
,. -----original Message-----
> From: Benson, James H
" > ~""I.. .,..-:.", Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:55' PM " " , .:...
" ,:'

> To: CMS TaskForce1N

> Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
Cuba/Venezuelan offers of ,Assistance
>
> Mike is it necessary for the VEN desk to do guidance now? I got the
impression The Hill wanted to know what we had done, not mandate that we do something now.
>
> Jim Benson
> Deputy Director
> WHA/PPC
> voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450
>
>
>
> From: CMS TaskForce1N
,. Sent: wednesday,. September 14, 2005 6:23 PM
> To: Benson, James H
> Cc: TaskForce-1
> Subject: FW: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
Cuba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance
>
> Jim, turns out the Cuba guidance that is actually cleared is much more
sparse than wnat you forwarded. I've got the Venezuela desk,people actually grinding out
the q & a.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Regan, John A
> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:18 PM
> To: CMS TaskForce1N
> Cc: TaskForce-1
> Subject: RE: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
Cuba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance
2

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
> The press guidance sent out was NOT/NOT cleared for use. It was sent
. around to ask for views, and we received substantial push-back from the 7th floor that has
yet to be resolved.
>
> Attached to this message is the only cleared guidance that we have used
regarding Cuba. Thanks.
>
> « File: 9-8 press taken question Katrina.doc » Error! Not a valid
embedded object.
>
>
> From: CMS TaskForce1N
> Sent: wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:14 PM
> To: Regan, John A
> Cc: TaskForce-1
> Subject: FW: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
>Cuba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CMS TaskForcelN
> Sent: wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:09 PM
> To: Zuniga-Brown, Timothy P
> Cc: TaskForce-1
> Subject: URGENT: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers on
Cuba/Venezuelan offers of Assistance
>
> Would appreciate your help quick! Thanks.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Benson, James H
> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 5:58 PM
> To: CMS TaskForce1N
> Subject: FW: Follo~-up to questions from Senate Staffers
>
> Mike, Here is what I sent Denny Offut.
>
> Jim Benson
> Deputy Director
> WHA/PPC
> Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450
>
>
>
> From: Benson, James H
> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 5:08 PM
> To: Offutt, Denison K
> Subject: RE: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers
>
> Denny, By and large we have been relying on the Task Force to tell us
what the decisions are vis a vis all of the offers, including those' of Cuba and Venezuela.
The Cuba offer has been neither accepted nor rejected. The Venezuela offer of a $1
million donation to the Red Cross pas been accepted, though I do not know if we can
confirm that they carried it out. As for the rest, I do not have any further information
beyond that contained in the matrix. It is my understanding that we did/did accept the
offers from both in principal along with all of the others. I have not seen any evidence
that we have said anything publicly about either offer, but the following guidance was
drafted and cleared for use. I have not seen that it has been employed yet:
>
> « File: 9-9 Katrina Update.doc»
> 2. I understand the desk has been in contact with the state governments
regarding the offers, but I'm not sure you could characterize their discussions as .
"advice." Bruce Friedman (7-3360) suggested you give him a call to clarify the Venezuela
issues.
>
>
> Hope this helps.
r 3

UNCLASSIFIED
>' , UNCLASSIFIED
>
> Jim Benson
> Deputy Director
> WHA/PPc
> Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450
>
>
>
> From: Offutt, Denison K
> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 4:00 PM
> To: Benson, James H; TaskForce-1
> Cc: CMS TaskForcel-Director; Bass, John R (OPS); Morrow, Michael K;
SES-O_CMS; Brown, Bruce
> Subject: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers
>
> Jim/WHA rep on TF-
>
> Ops Director John Bass has two "take-back" questions for WHA from his
Hill briefing. Could you provide background and/or talking pts by OOB, Thursday morning?
>
> 1) What is the status/details of the offers of assistance from Cuba and
Venezuela? Moreover, what has been said publicly by the USG on their offers? Did the USG
officially accept these offers in principal as we had all other offers?
>
> 2} Has the USG spoken/advised State (Mississippi, Louisiana) governments
on how to handle the Venezuela offer?
>
> Tks-
> Denny
>
>

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
-'
Bentes, Julianna W

From: eMS TaskForce1-Director(S/ES-OITF)

Sent: Friday, September 16, 20056:20 PM
To: Katrina Working Group RELEASED IN FULL
Cc: SES-O_CMS
Subject: FW: WHA SITREP, 1500 Sep 16

·····Original Message-···-
From: CMS TaskForcelN
sent: Friday, september 16,20053:05 PM·
To: TaskForre-1
Cc: Creamer, John 5; TaskForce-l
Subject: WHASITREP, 1500 5ep 16

Katrina Task Force

WHA - End of Shift Report
9/] 6/05 - 1500 hrs

COL Michael R. Borders

WHA Action Officer
September 16, 2005
0700-1500

PRIORITY/HOT

Mexico: Offer of Mental Health Experts: One psychologist, Rosa Rodriguez Zubiate, was accepted. Cable is
out for clearance: found on uncIass side at I:ffFl/DOCS/CABLES/Acceptance cable-immediate-Mexico Sept
15.
-Action: OFDA asked that J hold on the cable. Allclearanced received except OFDA and DHHS.
-Action: Sent email to Tony Stint and DBSmith @DHHS 9116 6: 17 a.m. to ask about clearance status. Follow-
up OOB 9116.
-Action: OPEN As of 1415 on 16 Sep still awaiting answer from OFDA/HHS

Colombia: Civil defense Personnel: four personnel will be accepted.

Cable is out for clearance: found on unclass side at I:ffFIIDOCS/CABLES/Acceptance cable-immediate-
Colombia Sept 15.
-Action: OFDA (USAJD) asked that 1 hold on the cable: all clearances have been received, but HHS
info/clearance is in question .
-Action: Sent email to Tony Stint 9/15 10:36 p.m. 10 ask about clearance status (in COLfile)
-Action: OPEN As of 1415 on J6 Sep still awaiting answer from OFDAIHHS.

Pending/Closed Items

Trinidad & Tobago: Pledge to Charity: Embassy confirmed via email that T&T pledged $2 million on 09/14
at 09: 13. Email sent to WHNCAR to request cable from Port ofSpain when pledge is fulfilled. (04:] 5)
-Action: Waiting for response, follow up with desk 9116 a.m.
-Action: Pending Cable should be comingfrom post today,' Tim Swanson has drafted it already.

Brazil: Offer 09/09/05: WHAIBSC confirmed offer on 09/14 via email at 10:14. Per matrix, FEMA needs to
vet.
9/] 5 - OFDA rep confirmed usa will not/not accept offer.
. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA T h TCLASSIFIED
DATE/CASE ID: 15 AUG ,2006 200503991 Ul'l
 UNCLASSIFIED
Col Pilcher of S is double-checking with Northcom on offer of National Guard assistance.
-Action: FEMA still needs to vet, follow up\9/16
-Action: Closet/. Col Pilcher indicated that NORTHCOM would not accept assistance, Sent to logger to close
out. Desk and embassy cc 'ed.

Jamaica: Private donations: Question from post on allowing bank to collect donations then deposit with Emb
cashier. E-mail question went to Donna Bordley.
-Action: Still waitingfor Donna Bordley (RM). Follow-up w/RM rep' 9/16 a.m.
-Action: Cloj·ed. Instructed post to have GOJ make donations via,the Red Cross. Sent to logger, desk and post.

Honduras: Confirm GOH assistance was declined earlier. OFDA rep has confirmed USG will not accept offers
from gov't or manufacturing assoc. .
-Action: Pe1UlbHf Still waiting for response ifwater or partial acceptance is possible; OFDA asked again for
r~pon~ .
-Action: Sent to Matrix keepers. Regarding the private-to-Gov of Honduras. Change the private Honduras
donation to reflect that the donation is to be given to the GOB for transport to the U.S. via cargo ship per
Mandojana e-mail datedI5Sep.5:17PM.This is important because the President of Honduras will be
travelling to New Orleans. . .

Cuba: Dennison Offut of Op Center tasks a reply to question John Basstook away from a Hill briefmg on the
content of CubanIVenezuelan offers of assistance, our responses to these offers, and about any advice we've
given to Louisiana and Mississippi on Venezuela's offer to these states.
-Action: Denny Offutt ofCMS has asked Cuba desk to re-work their submission, due at 1800 hrs 9/15.
-Provided D Offutt Cuba sample
-Action: pellding See Cuba/Ven folder for still 'in-clearance talking points

Venezuela: Duty officer at Embassy Caracas called with message from DCM: latter had been'contacted by
Minister of Interior saying Venezuela was ready to grant "request" of 16 850 kw generators; it could ship 2 in
one of its own planes, but would need USG air assets to ship the rest. Minister did not say which USG or state
agency had made request.. WHA Action officer checked matrix; GOV offer of generators was registered 9/13 •.
listed as FEMA vetting pending. I informed Embassy duty offer to sit on this request; nothing could be done
until FEMA accepted or declined the Venezuelan offer. Duty officer thought GOV was playing with us by
making multiple offers and then pressing for immediate shipment. (23:05)
-Action: Provided D Offutt w/Venezuela update (generators- spoke to DoS-South to confirm) andforwarded
Ven. Response (Cong. Inquiry)
-Action: Pelldillg See Cuba/Ven folder for still in-clearance talking points

Guyana- Cable accepting Guyana's offer of cash is drafted, still waiting for post to send cable with
governments offer modifications (9/15 11:00 p.m.) .
Action: Closed. Post cable indicated thai GOG will send donations to the American Red Cross and appropriate
NGO's. Cable sent via e-mail for clearance. Cable indicates thanks for the donation.

Panama: 9/16 a.m. shift needs to contact Red Cross to follow up on in-kind donations from a Panama radio
station (see message from post in Panama folder); sent message to Panama on status of inquiry.
-Action: Closed, Instructed post to put this private agencY in touch with America's Second Harvest at
(800)-771-2303. American Red Cross cannot accept in-king donations. Sent to logger

Panama: 9/15, Panamanian Embassy Officer Pillar Ortega (202.483.1407) asked for assistance in locating 37
missing Panamanians across the three affected states.
-Action: CA has been informed and has the lead on this issue. Check in with CA 9/16 a.m. to ascertain
progress.
•'! ... ., UNCLASSIFIED WHA-
·RELEASED IN PART
Katrina Task Force
B6
WHA - End of Shift Report
9116/05 - 1800 hrs

Moises Behar
WHA Action Officer
Septernberl6,2005
1500~1800

PRIORITYIHOT

Mexico: Offer of Mental Health Experts: One psychologist, Rosa Rodriguez Zubiate,
was accepted. Cable is out for clearance: found on unclass side at
I:{fFIIDOCS/CABLES/Acceptance cable-immediate-Mexico Sept 15.
-Action: OPEN DHHS cleared cable. Received and entered DHHS POC information
(David Smith, Office ofGlobal Affairs) into the cable. Cable should go to Charles Currie
(SAMHSA) for HHS Clearance.

Colombia: Civil defense personnel: four personnel will be accepted.

Cable is outfor clearance: found on unclass side at I:fTFIIDOCS/CABLES/Acceptance
cable-immediate-Colombia Sept 15.
-Action: OPEN DHHS cleared cable. Received missing DHHS POC information
(David Smith, Office ofGlobal Affairs) and incorporated it into the cable. Cable should
go to Charles Currie (SAMHSA) for HHS Clearance.

Pending/Closed Items

Trinidad & Tobago: Pledge to Charity: Embassy confirmed via email that T&T
pledged $2 million on 09/14 at 09:13. Email sent to WHA/CAR to request cable from I
Port of Spain when pledge is fulfilled. (04: 15)
-Action: Closed Cable sent out.

Brazil: Offer 09/09/05: WHAIBSC confirmed offer on 09l1fl via email at 10:14. Per
matrix. FEMA needs to vet.
9/15 - OFDA rep confirmed USG will notlnot accept offer.
Col Pilcher of S is double-checking with Northcom on offer of National Guard assistance.
-Action: FEMA still needs to vet.follow up 9//6
-Action: Closed. Col Pilcher indicated that NORTHCOM would not accept assistance.
Sent to logger to close out. Desk and embassy cc 'ed. .

Jamaica: Private donations: Question from post on allowing bank to collect donations
then deposit with Emb cashier. E-mail question went to Donna Bordley.
-Action: Still waiting/or Donna Bordley (RM). Follow-up w/RM rep 9/16 a.m.
-Action: Closed. Instructed post to have GOJ make donations via the Red Cross. Sent to
logger, desk andpost.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 13 SEP 2006 200503991

·UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

Honduras: Confirm GOH assistance was declined earlier; OFOA rep has confirmed
USG will not accept offers from gov't or manufacturing assoc.
-Action: Pending Still waitingfor response ifwater or partial acceptance is possible;
OFDA asked again for response
-Action: Sent to Matrix keepers. Regarding the private-to-Gov of Honduras. Change the
private Honduras donation to reflect that the donation is to be given to the GOH for
transport to the U.S. via cargo ship per Mandojana e-mail dated 15 Sep, 5:17PM. This is
important because the President of Honduras will be travelling to Louisiana (Kenner) per
Mandojana email dated 16 Sep, 5: 10 PM.

Cuba: Dennison Offut of Op Center tasks a reply to question John Bass took away from
a Hill briefing on the content of CubanIVenezuelan offers of assistance, our responses to
these offers, and about any advice we've given to Louisiana and Mississippi on
Venezuela's offer to these states.
-Action: Denny Offutt of CMS has asked Cuba desk to re-work their submission, due at
1800 hrs 9/15.
-Provided D Offutt Cuba sample
-Action: Pending See CubalVen folder for still in-elearance talking points

Venezuela: Duty officer at Embassy Caracas called with message from DCM: latter had
been contacted by Minister of Interior saying Venezuela was ready to grant "request" of
16 850 kw generators; it could ship 2 in one of its own planes, but would need USG air
assets to ship the rest. Minister did not say which USG or state agency had made request.
WHA Action officer checked matrix; GOV offer of generators was registered 9/13, listed
as FEMA vetting pending. I informed Embassy duty offer to sit on this request; nothing
could be done until FEMA accepted or declined the Venezuelan offer. Duty officer
thought GOV was playing with us by making multiple offers and then pressing for
immediate shipment. (23 :05)
-Action: Provided D Offutt w/Venezuela update (generators- spoke to DoS-South to
confirm) andforwarded Ven. Response (Cong. Inquiry)
-Action: Pending See CubaIVen folder for still in-clearance talking points

Guyana- Cable accepting Guyana's offer of cash is drafted, still waiting for post to send
cable with governments offer modifications (9/15 11:00 p.m.) .
Action: Closed. Post cable indicated that GOG will send donations to the American Red
Cross and appropriate NGO's. Cable sent via e-mail for clearance. Cable indicates
thanks for the donation.

Panama: 9/16 a.m. shift needs to contact Red Cross to follow up on in-kind donations
from a Panama radio station (see message from post in Panama folder); sent message to
Panama on status of inquiry.
-Action: Closed. Instructed post to put this private agency in touch with America's
Second Harvest at (800)-771-2303. American Red Cross cannot accept in-king
donations. Sent to logger

UNCLASSIFIED
.. UNCLASSIFIED

Panama: 9/15,1 ~sked for B

assistance in locatmg 37 missing Panamamans across the thiee affected states. '
-Action: CA has been informed and has the lead on this issue. Check in with CA 9/16 a.m.
to ascertain progress.
-Action.Closed CA now has this for action. Appears to be some confusion within the
Panamanian embassy. CA rep Kim Christman will follow up. Sent to logger and closed.

Costa Rica: Pending 9/16 p.m. shift sent note to TF 3 to update matrix regarding sugar
offer. EB indicates offer will not be accepted. No further action at this time. Old e-mail
in folder. Pending OFDA reports that nurse team to be denied. Contacted Brian
Simmons at post and informed him that cable with decision should be sent next week.

UNCLASSIFIED
 , "
UNCLASSIFIED
O'Herron, Petra C

From: . CMS TaskForce 1N ,

Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:03 PM RELEASED IN FULL
To: Cue, Lourdes C; Miele, Wayne E; Friedman, Bruce W
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: FW: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers

Could you folks help draft the reply to this question about Venezuela and Cuba? Thanks.

Mike Bosshart
WHA Action Officer
Task Force 1
--Original Message---
From: Benson, James H
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 5:58 PM
To: CMS TaskForce1N
Subject: FW: Follow-up to questions from Senate Staffers

Mike, Here is what I sent Denny Offut.

Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHAlPPC
Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450

From: Benson, James H

Sent: Wednesday, september 14, 2005 5:08 PM
To: Offutt, Denison K
Subject: RE: Follow-up to questions from senate Staffers

Denny, Byand large we have been relying on the Task Force to tell us what the decisions are vis a vis all of the offers,
including those of Cuba and Venezuela. The Cuba offer has been neither accepted nor rejected. The Venezuela offer of
a $1 million donation to the Red Cross has been accepted, though I do not know if we can confirm that they carriedit out.
As for the rest, I do not have any further information beyond that contained in the matrix. It is my understanding that we
did/did accept the offers from both in principal along with all of the others. I have not seen any evidence that we have said
anything publicly about either offer, but the following guidance was drafted and cleared for use. I have not seen that it has
been employed yet:

9-9 Katrina
Update.doc

2. I understand the desk has been in contact with the stale governments regarding the offers. but I'm not sure you could
characterize their discussions as "advice." Bruce Friedman (7-3360) suggested you give him a call to clarify the
Venezuela issues.

Hope this helps.

Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHAJPPC
Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450

From: Offutt, Denison K

Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 4:00 PM
To: Benson, James H; TaskForce-l

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA'
DATE/CASE ID: 26 SEP 2006 200503991 . UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED 2

OFFERS OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

2. (U) Currently 60 Foreign Missions have offered support

and assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Offers range from cash to support personnel to airplanes
and ships. Azerbaijan offered $500,000 in cash support.
Jordan offered two field hospitals. Slovenia offered
water pumps, blankets, generators and medicine. A German
military aircraft is scheduled to arrive in Pensacola,FL
to deliver an unexpected gift of 10.5 metric tons of Meals
Ready to Eat (MREs). Swedish electronics company Erickson
offered telecommunications equipment in Houston.
(TaskForce-Overseas Missions telcons, e-mails, cables)

STATE DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATION

3. (U) The Executive Secretary briefed the diplomatic

'community at Main State and provided information on
Hurricane victim support at the Astrodome and in
additional locations in San Antonio and Dallas. The
Department has communicated with 54 of the 85 U.S.
government personnel at the New or-Leans J? q::;.sport, Agency.
The Federal Government has declared, the 'P'a'ssportAgency a
"national security site," which entitles '{t"to 'increased
protection and" gains the Department access to its
controlled inventory. M/FLOwas able to use satellite
images to locate the house of a Department employee in New
Orleans and verify that the house was still standing and
unaffected by the flooding. The Office of Casualty
Assistance is using its skills bank to contact hundreds of
Department employees to arrange for volunteers for a
Federal Government team to go to the disaster area this
weekend and provide support. (TaskForce-DB telcons, CA,
OCA)

4. MINIMIZE CONS,IDERED.

yy

SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USD:SOLIC// IMMEDIATE
RHBVAKS/COMFIFTHFLT IMMEDIATE
RHBVQJQ/COMSIXTHFLT IMMEDIATE

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
" I