US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI7880

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 007880 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR TFPK01 AND SA; STATE PASS USAID FOR OFDA AND ANE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, KISL, PREL, PGOV, EAID, PBTS, PK, IN, Indo-US, Earthquake 
SUBJECT: TFPK01: INDIA ANALYZING ITS NEEDS, ACKNOWLEDGES US 
OFFER OF ASSISTANCE 
 
REF: STATE 187437 
 
1. (U) Please see Action Request in Para 4 below. 
 
2. (SBU) In a meeting October 10 with Indian Foreign 
Secretary Shyam Saran (other topics reported septel), the 
 
SIPDIS 
Ambassador conveyed to India the condolences of the United 
States for the loss of life and injuries sustained as a 
result of the October 8 earthquake in Kashmir.  The 
Ambassador reiterated the USG's intention to donate $100,000 
to relief efforts right away.  He also reminded FS Saran of 
the Secretary's offer of assistance and conveyed PACOM ADM 
Fallon's offer of military relief assistance, if required. 
Finally, he asked Saran not to hesitate to supply a list of 
needed equipment and supplies. 
 
3. (SBU) Saran thanked the Ambassador for the USG's offers of 
assistance and said the GOI's Disaster Management Authority 
was making an assessment of needs.  Once that was done, and 
if gaps were identified, the GOI would contact the USG.  In 
response to our query, Saran said the Pakistani government 
had not yet accepted India's proffered assistance, but that 
coordination between the two governments along the 
Line-of-Control (LOC) was excellent in the wake of the 
earthquake.  Media here have noted that some affected 
villages in Pakistani Kashmir may be more easily accessible 
from the Indian side of the LOC. 
 
4. (SBU) COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST:  We will keep after the 
Indians for a more definite sense of their needs, but one 
compelling area of concern is housing.  Snow will start to 
fall this month in higher reaches of Kashmir on both sides of 
the LOC, and by late November and early December even 
low-lying areas will be exposed to snow and freezing 
conditions.  In light of the widespread collapse of 
structures on both sides of the LOC, aid targeted at helping 
people secure suitable shelter will be an urgent priority. 
ACTION REQUEST: We recommend that the USG consider offering 
the GOI such materials.  Such a step -- if publicized in 
Kashmiri language broadcast and print media -- will also 
remind citizens of Muslim-majority J&K state that the USG is 
ready to play a humanitarian role in alleviating their 
suffering.  END COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST. 
Mulford