VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGO #0507 1751031
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231031Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 2574
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7823
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUHEHMS/COMMARFORPAC FWD

UNCLAS RANGOON 000507 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TO ADMIRAL KEATING FROM CDA SHARI VILLAROSA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR PREL BM
SUBJECT: JTF-CARING RESPONSE: TERMINATION OF RELIEF 
OPERATIONS 
 
¶1. (U) Joint Task Force Caring Response (JTF-CR) has 
performed magnificently in responding to the humanitarian and 
disaster relief needs of Burma after Cyclone Nargis caused 
widespread devastation.  Quickly identifying the need for 
delivery and distribution of humanitarian relief supplies, 
JTF-CR mobilized rapidly to establish command and control and 
make available 22 helicopters, 7 C-130s, and two ships to 
support the requirements to move water, food, medicine, and 
shelter into the affected areas. 
 
¶2. (U) The United Nations and the international humanitarian 
community now have all the mechanisms in place and 
functioning to provide both delivery and distribution of 
additional humanitarian relief supplies. The UN air bridge 
currently has excess capacity, and a sea bridge has been 
established which adds significantly increased and cheaper 
capacity for delivery of supplies.  Supplies are being 
distributed to the logistics hubs then to the affected areas 
by UN Logistic Cluster helicopters, trucks, boats and barges. 
 
¶3. (U) With the establishment of basic delivery and 
distribution mechanisms for relief supplies the Embassy 
Country Team believes that the international humanitarian 
community can now meet most of the humanitarian needs of the 
population of Burma. As of June 22, JTF-CR will have flown 
185 C-130 missions delivering over 3.5 million pounds of 
supplies. Beyond the physical relief the JTF-CR provided, JTF 
enabled the USG to assume a leadership role in the delivery 
of humanitarian relief to Burma. The JTF was quick to 
understand that a U.S. presence and influence with the 
Government of Burma, along with the UN, international 
Non-Governmental Organizations, other donors, regional 
organizations such as ASEAN, and regional partners like 
Indonesia and Thailand, was critical in achieving U.S. goals 
in response to the crisis. The JTF's quick response favorably 
influenced international and regional perceptions of the U.S. 
as an important and reliable partner in the region.  In 
addition, the people of Burma knew of the U.S. response 
despite restrictions on the dissemination of news in Burma. 
 
¶4. (U) While we support the termination of flight operations 
on June 22 and JTF-CR,s redeployment, we hope that the US 
Pacific Command will be able to respond again should 
significant additional new needs arise.  We have garnered 
tremendous goodwill for our efforts using the C-130s, and 
should try to build on that goodwill in the future to further 
increase Burmese comfort with our presence here.  Therefore, 
we recommend that USPACOM consider showing our flag more 
regularly in Rangoon after the termination of JTF-Caring 
Response.  We will be glad to work with your team anytime. 
 
¶5.  (U)  Embassy Rangoon extends its deepest appreciation to 
Admiral Keating and the US Pacific Command for PACOM's 
outstanding support to assist the Burmese victims of Cyclone 
Nargis.  In particular, we wish to thank Lt Gen Goodman, BGen 
Bailey, the USS Essex group, and all members of JTF-Caring 
Response for their many valuable contributions to deliver 
relief to the Burmese people devastated by the terrible force 
of Cyclone Nargis. 
VILLAROSA