Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DILI358
2007-11-08 10:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dili
Cable title:
EMBASSY DILI RESPONSE ON GREAT WHITE FLEET COMMEMORATION
how-toVZCZCXRO1235 PP RUEHDT DE RUEHDT #0358 3121007 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 081007Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY DILI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3753 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 3155
UNCLAS DILI 000358
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS AND EAP/PD - MCLOUGHLIN
PACOM FOR POLADS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO MARR MASS TT
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DILI RESPONSE ON GREAT WHITE FLEET COMMEMORATION
REF: STATE 00152754
UNCLAS DILI 000358
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS AND EAP/PD - MCLOUGHLIN
PACOM FOR POLADS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO MARR MASS TT
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DILI RESPONSE ON GREAT WHITE FLEET COMMEMORATION
REF: STATE 00152754
1. (SBU) Embassy Dili is strongly engaged with USPACOM in
developing a robust schedule of ship visits to Timor-Leste. In
conversation with Ambassador, GOTL leaders have recalled U.S.
ship visits in the pre-independence era, and have requested our
help in reviving Dili's status as a regular port of call for
U.S. vessels. We are therefore now in dialogue with Pacific
Command to identify opportunities for ship visits that can
provide training missions to Timor-Leste's own armed forces,
undertake community outreach projects, and extend humanitarian
assistance.
2. (SBU) These are important priorities for us. We do not,
however, see a natural or comfortable association with the
commemoration of the 1908 Great White Fleet circumnavigation.
As important as that historic event was to other countries in
the region, it is not relevant in our local context. The fleet
did not call in Portuguese Timor. We would instead encourage an
approach to Timor-Leste that leads to the strengthening of its
engagement with the U.S. Navy based on its present and future
relationship with the U.S.
KLEMM
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS AND EAP/PD - MCLOUGHLIN
PACOM FOR POLADS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO MARR MASS TT
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DILI RESPONSE ON GREAT WHITE FLEET COMMEMORATION
REF: STATE 00152754
1. (SBU) Embassy Dili is strongly engaged with USPACOM in
developing a robust schedule of ship visits to Timor-Leste. In
conversation with Ambassador, GOTL leaders have recalled U.S.
ship visits in the pre-independence era, and have requested our
help in reviving Dili's status as a regular port of call for
U.S. vessels. We are therefore now in dialogue with Pacific
Command to identify opportunities for ship visits that can
provide training missions to Timor-Leste's own armed forces,
undertake community outreach projects, and extend humanitarian
assistance.
2. (SBU) These are important priorities for us. We do not,
however, see a natural or comfortable association with the
commemoration of the 1908 Great White Fleet circumnavigation.
As important as that historic event was to other countries in
the region, it is not relevant in our local context. The fleet
did not call in Portuguese Timor. We would instead encourage an
approach to Timor-Leste that leads to the strengthening of its
engagement with the U.S. Navy based on its present and future
relationship with the U.S.
KLEMM