VPP FOR TOBAGO LAUNCHED

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000110

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/PD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL KPAO OEXC TD
SUBJECT: VPP FOR TOBAGO LAUNCHED


1. SUMMARY: The Embassy launched its first Virtual Presence Post,
VPP Tobago, on February 19 in a ceremony attended by Tobago House of
Assembly (THA) officials as well as key members of that island's
artistic, education, and religious communities. After the formal
launch, representatives from various USG agencies and Embassy
Sections held a well-received "open house" to field questions about
U.S. policy, visas, educational opportunities, the American Corner,
and Fulbright Program. END SUMMARY.


2. More than 100 members of the Tobago community, including THA
officials, teachers, media, USG program alumni, religious leaders,
and business people attended the February 19 formal launch of the
Virtual Presence Post Tobago. THA, U.S. Embassy and NGO
co-organizer Empowerment Foundation of Tobago (EFOT) representatives
spoke at the event. The DCM highlighted the Mission's past,
present, and future Tobago-related activities and underscored our
wish to increase outreach efforts to the island. Other ceremony
highlights included the PAO presenting a well-appreciated
explanation of Embassy functions and the donation of a computer to a
Tobago library.


3. THA Chief Administrator Michael J. Keens-Dumas, in his remarks,
welcomed efforts by the Embassy to engage the local community.
EFOT's Benedict Armstrong closed the formal part of the ceremony by
thanking the USG for setting up the VPP, but also expressing a
desire for a consulate for Tobago.


4. The formal launch ceremony was followed by a jazz concert
performed by the Kelley Johnson Quartet of American Music Abroad.
THA Assemblywoman Cynthia Alfred, Deputy Chief Secretary and
Secretary of Community Development and Culture, welcomed the

SIPDIS
Quartet's visit and was enthusiastic about continuing cultural
exchanges with the USG. (NOTE: Earlier in the week, the Kelley
Johnson Quartet conducted a workshop for Tobago students and, the
next day, invited the students on stage during their public concert
at Mason Hall Secondary School. Quartet members promised to stay in
touch with the students through electronic mentoring. END NOTE)


5. In an effort to reach out to the wider Tobagonian community,
following the concert, the Embassy held an Open House with
representation from each Embassy section, as well as the American
Corner and the Centers for Disease Control. The general public was
invited to ask questions about the Embassy's work and browse
available literature. A Black History Month biography collection,
donated to the American Corner earlier in the day, was viewed with
significant interest by the public and will undoubtedly help attract
visitors to the American Corner in Tobago. Throughout the
afternoon, the student advisor and Consular representative were
inundated with questions, reflecting the thirst for information
among the Tobagonian population.


6. COMMENT: The Embassy's strong representation at the VPP Tobago
launch and Open House was appreciated by local officials and the
general public, with the former expressing interest in further
collaboration. Print and electronic media coverage was very
positive, though Newsday (circulation 73,000) picked up on Mr.
Armstrong's remarks on the wanting a USG physical presence in Tobago
and entitled its article "Tobago wants U.S. Embassy." Leveraging
the existence of the VPP, we intend to maintain an active outreach
effort to Tobago, albeit tempered somewhat by budgetary and
personnel constraints. END COMMENT.

AUSTIN