MULTI-COUNTRY NATO TOUR FOR OPINION MAKERS, MARCH

UNCLAS USNATO 000078 POSTS FOR PAO, DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PPD, R E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: NATO OEXC OIIP PREL KPAO SUBJECT: MULTI-COUNTRY NATO TOUR FOR OPINION MAKERS, MARCH 23-24 - CALL FOR NOMINATIONS ¶1. This is an action cable. See paragraph 4-7 below. ¶2. SUMMARY: USNATO announces a multi-country opinion-maker tour which will be Brussels based and focus on the key topics of the April 3-4 NATO Summit. This is an opportunity for journalists to gain valuable insight on the most important issues leading up to the NATO Summit meetings, as well as U.S. and NATO goals for 2009. The tour dates will be March 23-24, 2009 and will include a visit to NATO headquarters and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). USNATO invites posts to submit nominations for this opinion-maker tour by Friday, March 6, 2009. USNATO will cover fifty percent of agreed costs for this tour. END SUMMARY INTRODUCTION ¶3. On April 3-4, NATO Foreign Ministers and Permanent Representatives will meet in Strasbourg, France, to discuss ongoing NATO issues particularly Afghanistan, enlargement, its relationship with Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine, and transformation plans. This opinion-maker tour will also focus on defense against new threats and recent developments in Afghanistan, as well as preview U.S. goals for the upcoming NATO Summit and sixtieth anniversary of the signing of the Washington Treaty. ACTION REQUEST ¶4. Posts are asked to indicate their interest in participating in the March opinion-maker tour by Friday, March 6, 2009. Post's responses may be submitted to Public Diplomacy Officer Leah Pease, via e-mail at PeaseL(at)state.gov, with a copy to USNATOTOURS(at)state.gov. ¶5. Each nomination should include: --A brief statement explaining why said opinion-maker was chosen and background information on his/her publication/outlet. --Issues that will make a difference in your host country and for the transatlantic relationship. --Identification of how well the host country public understands its relationship with NATO. --Full name --Date and place of birth --Country of citizenship --Passport number --E-mail address --Prior USG sponsored travel --Prior NATO Travel/participation in NATO visitor programs --English comprehension/speaking level (no interpretation planned) ¶6. For further information when preparing program requests, Posts may also contact the USNATOTOURS e-mail address listed above. POST REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ¶7. At the conclusion of each tour, USNATO requests that Post send the program team at the USNATOTOURS@state.gov a brief report describing any measurable impact a given NATO Tour had on participants (e.g. resulting media coverage) or other feedback offered during participants debriefing meeting; email: USNATOTOURS(at)state.gov. In accordance with OIG requirements, posts must submit full financial accounting within one month of the end of the tour. No post will be considered for another tour if financial reporting remains outstanding after one month. VOLKER