EL SALVADOR: PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND POLICY SUPPORT

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002297

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

WHA/PDA FOR BVASQUEZ; WHA/CEN FOR HTHOMPSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ES KPAO MASS MOPS PREL
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND POLICY SUPPORT
OPPORTUNITIES COINCIDENT WITH COMMEMORATING THE GREAT WHITE
FLEET

REF: SECSTATE 153116


1. (U) Summary: A U.S. Navy ship visit to El Salvador under
the auspices of the upcoming commemoration of the 100th
anniversary of the Great White Fleet circumnavigating the
globe would offer Embassy San Salvador significant public
diplomacy and policy support opportunities. As such, mission
hopes to be included in any port calls, medical visits, or
ceremonial activities conducted in support of the
commemoration. End summary.


2. (U) Public diplomacy: A port call and, if possible, an
associated medical visit by embarked or affiliated personnel,
would highlight the important role the U.S. Navy plays in
regional humanitarian relief and crisis response. Such an
evolution would reinforce the already overall positive image
the U.S. Armed Forces enjoy in El Salvador, as well as focus
media attention on the benevolent aspects of U.S. naval and
military activities in the region. On an even more basic
level, U.S. military and naval personnel providing medical
attention to Salvadoran citizens would likely generate
significant positive coverage in the Salvadoran media. In
the event of a ship visit, mission would line up supporting
events such as a bilateral press conference, facilitated
media interviews, and/or high-level GOES visits and photo
ops.


3. (U) Policy support opportunities: Commemorative events
illustrating the benefits of the GOES maintaining a close
operational relationship with the U.S. military could bolster
Salvadoran public confidence in the Saca administration's
decision to deploy Salvadoran troops in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Public events extolling the role of
U.S. naval forces in regional counter-narcotics interdiction
operations would also reinforce the wisdom of the GOES
hosting the Comalapa Forward Operating Location (FOL),as
well as provide a vehicle for highlighting the public
security benefits of U.S.-Salvadoran bilateral maritime
counter-narcotics efforts.


4. (U) In light of the above, mission hopes to be included in
Great White Fleet commemorative activities. A ship visit,
replete with medical service provision and media outreach,
would provide maximum public diplomacy and policy support
impact.


5. (U) Mission contact for public diplomacy aspects of Great
White Fleet Commemorative activities is Public Affairs
Officer Robert Riley, 503-2501-2983. Questions regarding
policy support opportunities should be directed to
Political-military Officer Anthony Stapleton, 503-2501-2040.
Glazer