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Doug Copp has worked in many areas of Disaster Mitigation; that you would not readily expect. Doug  was asked by Presidential Chief of Staff, Andrew Card Jr. (via Dr DuPuy), to advise a concerned President  Bush regarding the possibility of the 2001 El Salvador  Earthquake reigniting the social unrest and civil war of the 1980’s. Doug Copp prepared an emergency, extensive and  comprehensive report which was immediately given to President Bush.

Also, in this fax to the Indian PM, Copp advised the PM how he could double his loan and reduce the interest rate of India’s World Bank Debt, following the Gujarat earthquake.

The earthquake, itself killed 100,000 victims, immediately. This was not the greatest fear. This area had an outbreak of the bubonic plague, 4 years before which killed 40,000. Now, with millions of rats eating 100,000 corpses it was feared that the death toll from the plague would be astronomical. Doug was instrumental in the prevention of this bubonic plague outbreak. The Director MD’s of the Federal Government Ministry of Health stated that they expected a minimum of 250,000 lives, to be lost. Doug informed the group, under closed door session; how very strict and precise measures could be undertaken to reduce this number to 0 lives lost. Doug’s detailed mitigation plan was implemented and a minimum of 250,000 lives were saved.

Doug , also, appeared on the front page of the Times of India ( The largest daily circulation of any newspaper, in the world, at 10 million per day), The Mumbai ( Bombay) Times and was interviewd by the BBC Radio to an audience of 115 million listeners, for 15 minutes.

A letter to the PM of India is followed by some images of the newspapers and pictures. Go to http://www.amerrescue.org for more info.

One of the Fax Correspondences, is below:

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

As the Rescue Chief of  the most experienced rescue and disaster mitigation organization, in the world ; I was asked by Andrew card Jr. , White House Chief of Staff, to write a report concerning the Earthquake in El Salvador, for president Bush. I thought I would extend the same courtesy, to you, regarding our work and my concerns regarding the Earthquake in Gujarat.

Our team ( India, USA, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Hungary, Russia and Turkey ) arrived in the disaster area from various embarkation points. I personally visited every part of the country affected. Our work was broadcasted on TV via the Government of India Channel, Various other Channels, and European TV, as well as CNN. BBC Radio World Service carried my 15 minute interview to an  audience of 130 million listeners. The various wire services carried articles about ARTi to several thousand newspapers; including, The Times of India and the Bombay Times.

Throughout ALL of these interviews I maintained the theme that the Indian Government was performing an excellent job of Disaster Management . Further, that the International (Western) criticism against the work of GSPC and in particular Sanjay Gupta and Roy Choudhary was wrong. I stated, in no uncertain terms, that these officials were highly intelligent, highly effective individuals. I defied any ‘expert’ of Disaster Management , in the west, to perform 1/5 th as well with the same resources and in the same circumstances.

Report:

Our team saved lives, recovered missing bodies and worked closely with Sanjay Gupta and Roy Choudhary; throughout the disaster mitigation phases. Earlier, I had advised that preparations be made towards the financial mitigation of this disaster. I suggested that the World Bank debt be restructured.

I have a series of meetings, this week, with officials in Gandinager. I have worked at more than 100 major disasters, around the world, for the last 16 years. My experience is that other Governments have been very practical when it comes to the financial mitigation phase of this disaster. Sometimes Governments have made miscalculations in their estimates; for example, in their calculations of the death toll they have omitted the fatalities that occurred to injured victims perishing after the initial occurrence. This reduces the sympathetic political and media considerations which might be to India’s benefit.

Also, in calculating actual losses, many real and justified losses are omitted, in error. I bring this all to your attention with the hope that India will not underestimate the financial and other  losses which are forthcoming from this tragedy.

In the last month, I have appeared on 50+ major networks, 8 TV programs in 100+ countries, several thousand newspapers and BBC World Service ( 7 times ). I intend to gather as much media coverage as possible to gather public sympathy for this terrible tragedy, in India, and a public desire for the World Bank to defer loan Payments and reduce the Interest rate appropriately .  This action will allow India to repair infra-structure, quickly. Hopefully without the necessity of a ‘special earthquake tax’.

I have been received in India in a most kind and considerate manner.  My experience is that the disaster would have been much worse without the gentle, tranquil and good nature of the Indian People.

I remain,

At your service

Doug Copp

Rescue Chief// Disaster Manager

ARTI

The Maharajah Of Kutsch, from Ranjat Palace, also, thanked Doug Copp