BRAVO ZULU FOR BRUNEI PORT CALL OF USS CHUNG HOON

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