U.S.-BRUNEI DEFENSE DIALOGUE

UNCLAS BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000267 DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG, EAP/MTS/BISCHOFD EAP/RSP, PM/PETRONEC, PM/KIMH SINGAPORE FOR DAO/SEABAUGHK SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL BX SUBJECT: U.S.-BRUNEI DEFENSE DIALOGUE REF: STATE 00112900 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The U.S. and Brunei conduct an annual defense dialogue via the Joint Defense Working Committee (JDWC). The JDWC began in 1996 and this year's host is U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). Brunei participates in the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise (CARAT) with the U.S. Military. Brunei's military takes advantage of professional development and educational opportunities via the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) and the U.S. Military Academies. Brunei continues to expand its international peacekeeping role. Operational and organizational limitations hinder a wider range of cooperative opportunities but the U.S. military, in conjunction with the U.S. embassy, continue to seek further engagement and dialogue with Brunei's military. The engagement is welcome if not always fully reciprocated. End Summary. JOINT DEFENSE WORKING COMMITTEE -------------- 2.(SBU) US Pacific Command (PACOM),J52 Southeast Asia Policy Division and Brunei Defense Policy at the Ministry of Defense annually hold the Joint Defense Working Committee (JDWC). JDWC is an important avenue to discuss bilateral defense initiatives covering military training, exercises, personnel exchange and increasing information sharing. The yearly meetings also serve as an important platform to explore new areas in bilateral defense cooperation. Hosting the JDWC rotates between the two nations' military and the 2009 JDWC will be hosted by PACOM. Embassy is represented by DCM and Political Assistant. 3.(SBU) Topics and initiatives that have been discussed at JDWC include; Brunei's participation as an observer at the ASEAN Regional Forum Voluntary Demonstration of Response (ARF VDR) on Disaster Relief co-hosted by the Philippines and U.S.; and Brunei participation in the UN Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiatives (GPOI) in Khaan Quest, Mongolia in 2007 and at Shanti Doot, Bangladesh in 2008. Ongoing initiatives include; the signing of the ACSA (Acquisition Cross - Servicing Agreement),as well as the U.S. - Brunei Intelligence Exchange. CARAT -------------- 4.(SBU) The JDWC also includes discussion on new training components suggested to be included in the annual U.S. - Brunei military Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise (CARAT). COMLOGWESTPAC and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) participated in CARAT. Every year RBAF and COMLOGWESTPAC meet for the initial planning conference and final planning conference. RBAF perceive CARAT as an excellent training platform. RBAF takes advantage of COMLOGWESTPAC assets in broadening its exercise scope to include vast majority of RBAF components including its new Joint Force Operation Center, as well as including Bruneian civilian law enforcement agencies. RBAF and COMLOGWESTPAC also engage in the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation against Terrorism (SEACAT) exercise annually. TRAINING -------------- 5.(U) Brunei Ministry of Defense has been sending senior and mid-level personnel to the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) annually as part of its orientation and training on Asia -Pacific region. Today, Brunei has 52 APCSS alumni. The Ministry has a keen interest in sending their cadets to U.S. military academies under the ministry's scholarship scheme. One Brunei cadet graduated from West Point this year and there is one Brunei cadet currently at the U.S. Air Force Academy. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The U.S. Military, in cooperation with Embassy, continue to seek further engagement with Brunei's military. Organizational and cultural limitations hinder the ability of Brunei's military to respond in timely manner but the continued outreach by the USG is appreciated. Brunei is looking to expand their expertise in international peacekeeping operations. The U.S. Military's professionalism, training, and operational expertise is admired and appreciated by Brunei's military. TODD