US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON2147

UNCLAS KINGSTON 002147 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT) 
DEPARTMENT FOR OES/OA (TIRPAK) 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD AND J7 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC, TPHY, EAID, SENV, JM, KSCI 
SUBJECT: U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUNAMI 
WARNING SYSTEMS 
 
REF: STATE 152264 
 
1. On September 13, Poloff spoke with Claudia Barnes, 
Director, International and Economic Affairs Department, 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT), for a 
response to reftel questions.  Barnes said that tsunami 
preparedness and the purchase of tsunami warning system (TWS) 
equipment are both of concern to the GOJ, which has not 
purchased nor received assistance to purchase such equipment. 
 She said that the issue has been discussed by the GOJ's 
National Council on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management, which 
is chaired by Senator Delano Franklyn, Minister of State, 
MFAFT. 
 
2. Barnes did not comment on her expectations for the IOC 
Intergovernmental Coordination Group's efforts, but she did 
request that Post provide more information on tsunami 
detection for the benefit of the National Council's 
discussions.  Post will follow up to provide more detailed 
information to the GOJ on this issue, and will report any 
substantive developments. 
TURNER