US embassy cable - 04BRATISLAVA1064

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 001064 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR OES, EUR/NCE, EUR/PPD AND EUR/ACE 
DEPT PASS AID FOR EEE AND OSDA 
     AGRICULTURE PASS TO FOREST SERVICE 
DEPT PASS EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KSCA, EAID, AMGT, KPAO, LO, SEVN 
SUBJECT: HURRICANE FORCE WINDS FLATTEN SLOVAK FORESTS, GOS 
SEEKS INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
 
 
1. SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST.  ON NOVEMBER 19, THE WORST 
WINDS IN 70 YEARS STRUCK SLOVAKIA'S HIGH TATRAS ALPINE 
FOREST AREA, SNAPPING TREES LIKE TOOTHPICKS.  AN AREA OF 
APPROXIMATELY 250 SQUARE MILES WAS DEVASTATED, INCLUDING 
LARGE SWATHS OF LAND WHERE NEARLY ALL TREES WERE DESTROYED. 
ALTHOUGH ONLY TWO FATALITIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND MOST 
BUILDINGS SURVIVED, CONSIDERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC 
DAMAGE ARE LIKELY.  GOS HAS SOUGHT INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
IN DEALING WITH THIS DISASTER, AND DONATIONS FROM 
INTERNATIONAL AND PRIVATE DONORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED. 
HOWEVER, THE SLOVAKS ARE NOT CERTAIN HOW TO PROCEED AND 
WOULD LIKELY WELCOME ADVICE FROM U.S. EXPERTS.  POST SEEKS 
DEPT GUIDANCE ON TWO PROPOSED RESPONSES: 
 
-- A USD 25,000 DONATION FROM THE AMBASSADOR'S 
DISCRETIONARY EMERGENCY FUND, AND 
 
-- A DVC CONFERENCE BETWEEN USG AND GOS OFFICIALS TO SHARE 
U.S. EXPERIENCE AND SUGGESTIONS FROM SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. 
 
END SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. 
 
2. Winds of 100 mph destroyed a heavily forested area more 
than 40 miles long and 6 miles wide in north-central 
Slovakia.  The Minister of Agriculture estimates that 2.5 to 
3 million cubic meters of timber have fallen, equal to about 
90 percent of Slovakia's yearly production of soft wood. 
Large sections of electrical lines were completely 
destroyed, but roads and buildings apparently survived 
fairly well. 
 
3. The GOS has called in the army to help remove debris and 
requested financial assistance from the EU to help restore 
the area.  Businesses and local governments have also 
donated funds to restore what had been one of Slovakia's 
national treasures.  The timing of the disaster is 
especially difficult for the local economy, which is highly 
dependent on tourism including skiing.  Ecological damage is 
expected to be exacerbated by run-off in the spring.  We 
request fiscal data to support a USD 25,000 pledge from the 
Ambassador's discretionary emergency fund to contribute to 
reconstruction activities. 
 
4. Although Slovakia has been fortunate in avoiding an 
immediate humanitarian disaster, many hardships are sure to 
affect this region for the foreseeable future.  However, at 
this point the Slovaks aren't even sure what help they need 
and what questions to ask in order to begin the recovery 
effort.  Post requests Dept seek advice from USG agencies 
related to forestry, environmental protection and aid issues 
to identify U.S. experts who could offer advice  regarding 
restoration efforts and potential long-term problems, and 
where to start.  Post would then place a formal request for 
a  DVC. 
WEISER 
 
 
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