UNCLAS BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000152

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR CDR AIKEN
SINGAPORE FOR DAO:SEABAUGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR BX
SUBJECT: BRAVO ZULU FOR BRUNEI PORT CALL OF USS CHUNG HOON


1. Ambassador Skodon and the staff of U.S. Embassy Bandar
Seri Begawan express their appreciation and thanks to CDR
Aiken and the crew of the USS Chung Hoon for a highly
successful May 19-23 port visit to Brunei Darussalam. The
two COMREL activities conducted by ship's personnel -
cleaning and upgrading a playground at school for special
needs children and demolishing a dangerous structure in a
remote village in the interior - were prominently featured in
the May 21 and 22 editions of the Brunei's major daily
newspapers. In the Tutong village project in particular,
working side by side with local citizens, the efforts of the
USS Chung Hoon crew helped us put a human face on the U.S.
military and showed Bruneians our nation at its selfless and
generous best.


2. The interaction of the officers and men of the USS Chung
Hoon with the Bruneian military in formal meetings and an
on-board reception for Brunei military officers contributed
to warmer relations with the host country and will assist our
efforts to strengthen the U.S. security partnership with this
predominantly Islamic nation. The gracious hospitality of
the crew, including the courtesies shown to the crew of a
Pakistani naval vessel also in port, demonstrated to all who
met them that USS Chung Hoon personnel are also skilled
diplomats. The exemplary behavior of the crew on shore leave
added to the overall positive impression.


3. Bravo Zulu to all crew members of the USS Chung Hoon. We
wish you fair winds and following seas for the remainder of
your deployment.
SKODON