SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND PACIFIC (SOCPAC)

S E C R E T COLOMBO 000900 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB, PACOM J-39,PACOM J-359,PACOM J-5,SOCPAC J-3, SOCOM J-33,JIACG(USAID SDA) E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS MASS OIIP CE, MV SUBJECT: SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND PACIFIC (SOCPAC) MILITARY INFORMATION SUPPORT TEAM (MIST) AND CIVIL MILITARY SUPPORT ELEMENTS (CMSE) SUPPORT TO AMEMBASSY COLOMBO Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA A. BUTENIS. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D) (U) THIS IS A CORRECTED, REVISED VERSION OF COLOMBO 562. ¶1. (U) PURPOSE: This is a request for the implementation of Military Information Support Team (MIST) and Civil Military Support Elements (CMSE) capabilities supporting the U.S. Embassy, Colombo. ¶2. (U) SITUATION: Chief of Mission requests deployment of MIST and CMSE elements no later that October 31, 2009. ¶3. (S) JUSTIFICATION: Employment of MIST and CMSE capabilities in support of U.S. Embassy, Colombo supports the Commander U.S. Pacific Command,s (USPACOM) theater strategy for a whole of government approach to improving security in the USPACOM area of responsibility. USPACOM objectives met by MIST and CMSE capabilities for Sri Lanka include: 1) Encourage Sri Lanka to pursue active, reliable security relationships with the U.S. 2) Sri Lanka builds capacity with U.S. assistance and collaboration to overcome common security challenges. USPACOM objectives met by CMSE and MIST capabilities for Maldives include: 1) Maldives builds capacity with U.S. assistance and collaboration to overcome common security challenges 2) Maldives supports U.S. interests and increases national and regional capacity to counter violent extremist organizations and trans-national crime networks. ¶4. (U) FORCE DESCRIPTION AND DEPLOYMENT: No more that three individuals per MIST and CMSE within the first 30 days of deployment. Teams will develop a proposed program of work in coordination with country team points of contact including USAID and Public Diplomacy (PD) directors, and the Defense Attach Office. If the Memorandum of Agreement and work plan is approved by the Chief of Mission, teams will execute duties under supported country team directors. If disapproved, teams will redeploy through Special Operations Pacific (SOCPAC) to their force provider unit. Routine rotation of personnel will be conducted in accordance with USPACOM and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) deployment orders with the intent of individuals deploying for no less than six months and no more than 1 year. If at any time the Chief of Mission, Commander USPACOM or Commander SOCPAC determines the mission to be complete, teams will cease or transition activities to country team counterparts, return uncommitted funds to SOCPAC and then redeploy. ¶5. (U) The Chief of Mission is the final approval authority for all MIST and CMSE activities. MIST and CMSE deploy under the operational control of Commander USPACOM, exercised through Commander SOCPAC, with day-to-day duty under the US Country Team. No activities will be conducted without prior approval of the Chief of Mission or their designated representative. ¶6. (U) Point of contact for Post is LTC Lawrence A. Smith III, Defense and Army Attach, 94-11-249-8630 (COMM); DISMILW@DIA.SMIL.MIL. Point of contact at SOCPAC is MAJ CARL FRAZER, Chief, Information Operations, SOJ-39,808-477-5997(COMM); CARL.FRAZER@SOCPAC.SOCOM.SMIL.MIL. BUTENIS