US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE2414

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002414 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINS, PREL, MARR, CASC, US, NL, AMER 
SUBJECT: TFUS01: STATUS REPORT ON DUTCH OFFERS OF 
ASSISTANCE, SEPTEMBER 6 
 
1. This is an action request.  See paras 4-10. 
 
2. Summary: The Dutch Parliament on September 6 issued a 
brief statement expressing condolences for the victims of 
Hurricane Katrina and declaring its support for relief 
efforts.  The Dutch have made several offers of assistance to 
the hurricane-affected area, including: the frigate HMS Van 
Amstel; large capacity water pumps; a levee inspection team; 
an amphibious transport ship (HMS Rotterdam); two F-60 
transport planes; a diver platoon; a mobile drinking water 
installation; and construction engineers.  Post has received 
authorization from Washington to further accept Dutch offers 
on the frigate, the water pumps, and the levee inspection 
team.  The following provides a status update on each offer 
and requests guidance where necessary.  End Summary. 
 
Offer No. 1: HMS Van Amstel 
--------------------------- 
 
3. Post has received authorization from State and NORTHCOM to 
accept the Dutch offer of assistance from the frigate HMS Van 
Amstel, and has notified the Dutch MFA and MOD.  The Joint 
Force Maritime Component Command (JFMCC) is developing a 
concept of operations to integrate the Van Amstel into the 
Naval Task Group supporting the disaster relief. 
 
Offer No. 2: Water Pumps 
------------------------ 
 
4. Post has received authorization from State and the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers to accept the Dutch offer of the 
three large-capacity water pumps and accompanying trucks, and 
has notified the Dutch MFA and MOD.  Post has provided MFA 
with OFDA contact information for further coordination.  The 
Dutch still require heavy airlift to transport the pumps to 
the hurricane-affected region. 
 
- Status of Request: Post understands that the JS/J-4 Joint 
Logistics Operations Center is coordinating airlift and visa 
arrangements. 
 
- Guidance Request: Post requests confirmation regarding the 
provision of DOD airlift for the pumps to the 
hurricane-affected region. 
 
Offer No. 3 Levee Inspection Team 
--------------------------------- 
 
5. Post has received authorization from State and the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers to accept the Dutch offer of 
assistance from the Ministry of Transport's levee inspection 
team, and has notified the MFA.  Post has provided MFA with 
OFDA contact information for further coordination.  Post 
stands ready to assist the travel of the inspection team to 
the hurricane-affected region. 
 
Offer No. 4: Amphibious Transport Ship 
-------------------------------------- 
 
6. The Royal Netherlands Navy has offered the use of the 
amphibious transport ship the HMS Rotterdam, which the Dutch 
say can be used as a floating hospital.  It has a helicopter 
platform and a drinking water supply.  It can also transport 
goods, while marines on board can perform general transport 
tasks.  The Rotterdam is currently in the Netherlands and 
could reach New Orleans in 14 days. 
 
- Status of Request: Dutch MOD conveyed the request via U.S. 
Embassy The Hague, and via the Dutch Embassy in Washington to 
State.  Post passed the request to EUR/UBI and the Task Force 
on September 2. 
 
- Guidance Request: Post requests official Washington 
authorization to accept the Dutch offer of the HMS Rotterdam, 
and further guidance on next steps. 
 
Offer No. 5: F-60 Transport Planes 
---------------------------------- 
 
7. The Royal Netherlands Navy has offered the use of two F-60 
Transport planes for reconnaissance, and search and rescue 
missions.  The F-60s are currently stationed in Curacao. 
 
- Status of Request: Dutch MOD conveyed the request via U.S. 
Embassy The Hague, and via the Dutch Embassy in Washington to 
State.  Post passed the request to EUR/UBI and the Task Force 
on September 2. 
 
- Guidance Request: Post requests official Washington 
authorization to accept the Dutch F-60 transport aircraft 
offer, and further guidance on next steps. 
Offer No. 6: Diver Platoon 
-------------------------- 
 
8. The Royal Netherlands Army has offered the use of a diver 
platoon, which could be used for search and rescue or 
recovery missions. 
 
- Status of Request: Dutch MOD conveyed the request via U.S. 
Embassy The Hague, and via the Dutch Embassy in Washington to 
State.  Post passed the request to EUR/UBI and the Task Force 
on September 2. 
 
- Guidance Request: Post requests official Washington 
authorization to accept the Dutch diver platoon offer, and 
further guidance on next steps. 
 
Offer No. 7: Mobile Drinking Water Installation 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
9. The Royal Netherlands Army has offered the use of a mobile 
drinking water installation, with a capacity of 60,000 liters 
per day.  The installation would require airlift assistance. 
 
- Status of Request: Dutch MOD conveyed the request via U.S. 
Embassy The Hague, and via the Dutch Embassy in Washington to 
State.  Post passed the request to EUR/UBI and the Task Force 
on September 2. 
 
- Guidance Request: Post requests official Washington 
authorization to accept the Dutch water installation offer, 
and further guidance on next steps. 
 
Offer No. 8: Water Management/Construction Engineers 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
10. The Royal Netherlands Army has offered the use of nine 
groups of water management/construction engineers to assist 
reconstruction efforts. 
 
- Status of Request: Dutch MOD conveyed the request via U.S. 
Embassy The Hague, and via the Dutch Embassy in Washington to 
State.  Post passed the request to EUR/UBI and the Task Force 
on September 2. 
 
- Guidance Request: Post requests official Washington 
authorization to accept the Dutch offer on construction 
engineers, and further guidance on next steps. 
 
BLAKEMAN