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Viewing cable 07MOSCOW5479, Disaster Declaration: Oil Spill in Kerch Strait, Russia

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07MOSCOW5479 2007-11-23 04:14 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Moscow 
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMO #5479 3270414
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 230414Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5402
INFO RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0196
RUEAEPA/HQ EPA WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
 
UNCLAS MOSCOW 005479 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC STATE FOR AID/DCHA/OFDA FOR ANDREW/TOKAR, AID/E&E FOR 
BREWER/ROBINSON 
EPA FOR PI/EKIMOFF/THOMPSON 
DOE/PI FOR K. THOMPSON AND L. EKIMOFF 
CEQ FOR CONNAUGHTON 
HOMELAND SECURITY FOR U.S. COAST GUARD 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAID SENV ENRG PREL RS
SUBJECT: Disaster Declaration: Oil Spill in Kerch Strait, Russia 
 
Refs:  (A) Moscow 5372, (B) Moscow 5436 
 
Sensitive but unclassified, not for internet distribution. 
 
 
1. (U) This is an action request.  See paragraph 4. 
 
2. (SBU) The November 11 oil spill in the Kerch Strait (which runs 
between the Black and Azov Seas near Crimea) continues to affect 
large numbers of fish and wildlife and is now spreading into the Sea 
of Azov (refs A, B).  Efforts to contain and remediate the spill 
have been limited by high seas and reported GOR disagreements with 
Ukraine over construction of a temporary dam between mainland Russia 
and the Ukrainian Island of Tuzla (ref B).  Damages from the 
disaster continue to mount and U.S. emergency assistance is required 
to advise on a containment and remediation plan. 
 
3. (SBU) Given the potential of emergency assistance to avert 
long-term economic and environmental damage to Sea of Azov and Black 
Sea, the Ambassador declares the oil spill in the Kerch Strait a 
disaster.  He has determined that the incident is of a sufficient 
magnitude to warrant external assistance (ref A), the GOR has stated 
its willingness to accept assistance (ref B), and it is in the 
interests of the United States to provide such assistance. 
 
4. (SBU) ACTION: Mission requests OFDA consideration and approval of 
up to USD 50,000 to provide short-term technical expertise to 
mitigate environmental and economic damages.  In consultation with 
OFDA, Embassy proposes that these funds be used to support rapid 
assessment of the situation by a team from the U.S. Coast Guard or 
other agencies to consult with the GOR on the most appropriate 
response.  Remaining funds are also proposed to support short-term 
remediation efforts of local non-governmental organizations. 
 
BURNS