USNATO MULTI-COUNTRY PRESS TOUR TO KOSOVO

UNCLAS USNATO 000276 POST FOR PAOS, DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PPD, R, AMEMBASSY PRISTINA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO NATO OEXC OIIP PREL SUBJECT: USNATO MULTI-COUNTRY PRESS TOUR TO KOSOVO ¶1. (U) This is an action cable. See paragraphs 6. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: USNATO PAA invites posts to nominate one print or broadcast correspondent for a Multi-Country Press Tour to NATO HQ with a follow-on tour to Kosovo. Tour dates are August 3-7, 2009. The tour objective is to give journalists from Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperative Initiative (ICI) countries an overview of NATO and to show them a NATO operation in serving as a stabilizing force in a Muslim majority country. All posts interested in nominating a participant must send their nominations by COB Monday, 13 July 2009 to USNATOTOURS(at)state.gov. USNATO will cover fifty percent of all agreed upon expenses. END SUMMARY ¶3. (U)NATO,s operation in Kosovo helps to maintain a safe and secure environment in coordination with the Kosovo security forces and EULEX missions. NATO,s current operation in Kosovo is responsible for supervising and supporting the stand-up and training of a multi-ethnic, professional and civilian controlled Kosovo Security Forces(KSF). This professional, all-volunteer force is trained according to NATO standards and placed under civilian-led, democratic control. USNATO will host a week-long program that will offer MD and ICI journalists the opportunity to visit both NATO HQ and the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission in Kosovo giving journalists a chance to address policy issues and gain on-the-ground experience. The tour will run from August 3-7, 2009. The tour will begin with a Monday program at NATO HQ where journalists will have the opportunity to discuss the KFOR mission with U.S. and NATO officials. The group will depart for Pristina on Tuesday and will visit Camp Bondsteel and the Kosovo Security Forces on Wednesday and Thursday. Journalists will arrive back in Brussels or their home city on Friday. ¶4. (U) This program is targeted at print and broadcast journalists with some knowledge of security issues and NATO. Separate cameramen will not be considered. All nominees must be English speakers, and correspondents must agree to follow the entire USNATO tour, beginning with the program in Brussels. Due to the security situation, the correspondents will be required to stay with the group at all times. Separate programs cannot be arranged. Participants must bring all required equipment necessary to perform their duties as a journalist to include laptop computers and cameras as their craft dictates. Participants must be able to carry their own luggage and equipment without assistance, and must be available to travel for the duration of the week-long program. Please nominate journalists intent upon following the USNATO program and interested in covering the overall NATO operation. ¶5. (U) Posts may nominate more than one journalist, however due to the popularity of this tour, we may not be able to accommodate all candidates. As such, it is extremely important to make clear to all candidates that they have been nominated but must await confirmation. If nominating more than one journalist, please clearly indicate your preferred candidate in your response. Previous participation in a NATO tour does not preclude acceptance into this program. Once the USNATO Program Coordinator sets the itinerary, posts are responsible for obtaining a visa for Belgium and coordinating all travel arrangements for their participant/s. 6.(U) ACTION REQUEST: Should posts wish to nominate participants in response to this message, please include the following information for each participant in your proposal: --Full Name --Date and Place of Birth --Country of Citizenship --Passport Number --Prior USG Sponsored Travel --Prior NATO Travel/Participation in NATO Tours Program --English Comprehension/Speaking Level --Short Justification for Nomination --Short report on the journalist's organization to include the circulation/audience --Biography of the journalist --Prior travel to Kosovo including the duration and capacity of their travel Nominations for this tour should be received by COB Monday, 13 July, 2009, to Public Diplomacy Officer Leah Pease, PEASEL(at)state.gov and to USNATOTOURS(at)state.gov. POST REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 8 (U) At the conclusion of each tour, USNATO requires that posts submit a brief report describing any measurable impact the NATO Tour had on participants (e.g. resulting media coverage),any submitted post highlight, or other feedback offered during the participants debriefing meetings. In accordance with OIG requirements, posts must submit full financial accounting within one month of the end of the tour. ¶9. (U) If you have any questions, or need further information please send an e-mail to Leah Pease, PeaseL(at)state.gov and USNATOTOURS(at)state.gov. We look forward to receiving your nominations and working with you. BYRNES