APPROVING MILITARY INFORMATION SUPPORT TEAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002887 SIPDIS PACOM FOR FPA HUSO DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2015 TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV TH POL MIL SUBJECT: APPROVING MILITARY INFORMATION SUPPORT TEAM PROPOSAL FOR THAILAND Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Alexander A. Arvizu. Reason 1.4 . (a) and d)) ¶1. (C) USPACOM proposed deployment of a military information support team (MIST) to Thailand to offer military support to public diplomacy. The focus of this team will be to advise and assist the Royal Thai Army in its efforts to address ongoing unrest in southern Thailand. Post concurs and recommend that USPACOM proceed with this proposal as outlined below. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) This initiative is in response to a directive from the USPACOM Commander to explore methods to assist the RTG with its efforts in southern Thailand. On February 4, 2005, Post requested a small team of public information experts deploy to Thailand to assess methods of assistance to the RTG. During the March-April 2005 assessment, DoD military and civilian planners and analysts worked closely with Post and JUSMAGTHAI to develop a Military Support to Public Diplomacy-Thailand (MSPD-TH) program. The assessment recommends deployment of a team to support US efforts and to advise and assist the Royal Thai Army (RTA) in its public information efforts. Initial team deployment or working locations will be Bangkok (JUSMAGTHAI) and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Special Warfare Center at Lop Buri. MIST members will not deploy or travel to affected southern provinces. ¶3. (C) Proposed public information themes will focus on human rights, cultural awareness, economic growth, long-term security and stability, and other similar messages. The DoD team, in coordination with Post, will develop public information plans and advise and assist the RTG on current methods, techniques, and utilization options for a variety of dissemination media. ¶4. (C) PACOM,s proposed program will provide a means to extend messages in support of US policy to audiences difficult to reach via existing resources. We support USPACOM submission of the MSPD-TH program to Joint Staff for consideration, approval, and execution authorities. BOYCE