Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGKOK668
2008-03-03 09:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
INPUT ON CHANGE IN DOD'S MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AT
how-toVZCZCXYZ1263 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBK #0668 0630943 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 030943Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2036 INFO RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000668
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EAP FOR EX
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018
TAGS: ABLD AFIN AMGT APER ASEC ODIP TH
SUBJECT: INPUT ON CHANGE IN DOD'S MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AT
POST
REF: A. STATE 17502
B. SDO/DATT DIRECTIVE
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000668
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EAP FOR EX
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018
TAGS: ABLD AFIN AMGT APER ASEC ODIP TH
SUBJECT: INPUT ON CHANGE IN DOD'S MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AT
POST
REF: A. STATE 17502
B. SDO/DATT DIRECTIVE
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) Bangkok appreciates the opportunity to contribute to
the dialog between State and DoD on the implementation of the
Senior Defense Official/DATT Directive. State, DAO, and
JUSMAG representatives have followed this initiative closely
and we believe that the plan to create the SDO/DATT position
will assist in coordinating State-Defense issues here in
Bangkok. While we view this undertaking positively, we do
have a few questions to raise.
2. (C) DAO Bangkok has been told that an official decision
has been made to designate the JUSMAGTHAI Chief as the
SDO/DATT and that this appointment would become effective
June 2008. In order to fulfill DATT duties and to provide
consultation on DoD activities with the Ambassador, we expect
the SDO/DATT to have an office within the Chancery as well as
at JUSMAGTHAI. As JUSMAGTHAI is not co-located in the
Chancery, we envision the need to reconfigure the DATT office
to provide an office for the SDO/DATT.
3. (U) Section 3.1 of the SDO/DATT Directive indicates that
the SDO/DATT has the authority to require consultation
between the DoD agencies and if essential agreement cannot be
obtained, refer the matter to the next senior in the
reporting chain. Embassy Bangkok intends to continue
resolving these issues internally before involving more
senior officials in DoD. This includes raising the issue in
question to the Chief of Mission. Indeed, it is essential
that nothing in this proposal be seen as potentially
undermining Chief of Mission authority.
4. (U) Section 5.9.5 of the Directive specifies that the
SDO/DATT present coordinated DoD views on all defense matters
to the COM and act as the single DoD point of contact for the
COM. As Bangkok is home to a large number of DoD
organizations with diverse activities, it would not be
practical for the SDO/DATT to have in-depth knowledge of the
activities of all of DoD operations. As such, the COM plans
to supplement consultation with the SDO/DATT with advice from
the heads of other DoD agencies. In that view, the DCM would
continue to chair monthly POL/MIL coordination meetings.
5. (U) We appreciate the opportunity to provide input to
implementation of the SDO/DATT initiative and look forward to
continued close State-Defense cooperation at Post.
JOHN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EAP FOR EX
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018
TAGS: ABLD AFIN AMGT APER ASEC ODIP TH
SUBJECT: INPUT ON CHANGE IN DOD'S MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AT
POST
REF: A. STATE 17502
B. SDO/DATT DIRECTIVE
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) Bangkok appreciates the opportunity to contribute to
the dialog between State and DoD on the implementation of the
Senior Defense Official/DATT Directive. State, DAO, and
JUSMAG representatives have followed this initiative closely
and we believe that the plan to create the SDO/DATT position
will assist in coordinating State-Defense issues here in
Bangkok. While we view this undertaking positively, we do
have a few questions to raise.
2. (C) DAO Bangkok has been told that an official decision
has been made to designate the JUSMAGTHAI Chief as the
SDO/DATT and that this appointment would become effective
June 2008. In order to fulfill DATT duties and to provide
consultation on DoD activities with the Ambassador, we expect
the SDO/DATT to have an office within the Chancery as well as
at JUSMAGTHAI. As JUSMAGTHAI is not co-located in the
Chancery, we envision the need to reconfigure the DATT office
to provide an office for the SDO/DATT.
3. (U) Section 3.1 of the SDO/DATT Directive indicates that
the SDO/DATT has the authority to require consultation
between the DoD agencies and if essential agreement cannot be
obtained, refer the matter to the next senior in the
reporting chain. Embassy Bangkok intends to continue
resolving these issues internally before involving more
senior officials in DoD. This includes raising the issue in
question to the Chief of Mission. Indeed, it is essential
that nothing in this proposal be seen as potentially
undermining Chief of Mission authority.
4. (U) Section 5.9.5 of the Directive specifies that the
SDO/DATT present coordinated DoD views on all defense matters
to the COM and act as the single DoD point of contact for the
COM. As Bangkok is home to a large number of DoD
organizations with diverse activities, it would not be
practical for the SDO/DATT to have in-depth knowledge of the
activities of all of DoD operations. As such, the COM plans
to supplement consultation with the SDO/DATT with advice from
the heads of other DoD agencies. In that view, the DCM would
continue to chair monthly POL/MIL coordination meetings.
5. (U) We appreciate the opportunity to provide input to
implementation of the SDO/DATT initiative and look forward to
continued close State-Defense cooperation at Post.
JOHN