(S/NF) SUBJECT: PUBLIC AFFAIRS GUIDANCE FOR

SECRET STATE 151188

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2017
TAGS: MARR PREL BC GB LI
SUBJECT: (S/NF) SUBJECT: PUBLIC AFFAIRS GUIDANCE FOR
AFRICOM SITE SURVEY VISITS TO BOTSWANA, GABON, AND LIBERIA

Classified By: LTHOMAS-GREENFIELD

Background
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1. (S/NF) Over the next few weeks, DOD and State will jointly
visit Botswana, Gabon, and Liberia to discuss security
cooperation with host countries in the context of AFRICOM.
Visiting teams will also collect data on security and
infrastructure parameters relevant to siting an AFRICOM
element. Participation in discussions does not imply a
commitment by any country to host an AFRICOM element. Host
country feedback and site survey data will assist senior
officials in defining next steps in the site selection
process.

Public Affairs Approach
--------------

2. (FOUO) Site survey teams are only authorized to describe
the purpose of the visits if asked, and only with the
approved statement in paragraph 3. Site survey teams are not
authorized to respond to other queries and should refer
questions to the country team and/or to the host nation
government.


3. (U) The following statement is authorized for public use
by the site survey team and country team: "The United States
Government is discussing bilateral security cooperation
issues with (insert country). For additional information we
would direct you to the Government of (insert country)."


4. (U) No media coverage of visit activities is planned. The
site survey team will report any media coverage encountered
to the country team, OSD Public Affairs, and AFRICOM Public
Affairs.

Points of Contact
--------------

6. (U) AF/RSA: Jun Bando (BandoJ@state.gov or 202-647-5781);
Jerry P. Lanier (LanierJP@state.gov or 202-647-6476).
AFRICOM Public Affairs: Eric Elliott (elliotte@eucom.mil or
49-(0)711-729-4959); Steve Wollman (wollmans@eucom.mil or
49-(0)711-729-4711). OASD Public Affairs: Elizabeth Hibner
(elizabeth.hibner@osd.mil or 703-697-5131).
RICE