Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VLADIVOSTOK63
2009-05-28 06:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Vladivostok
Cable title:
US NAVY SHIP VISIT TO VLADIVOSTOK PLAYS PART IN US-RUSSIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO4493 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDBU RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHLN RUEHNAG RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHYG DE RUEHVK #0063 1480641 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 280641Z MAY 09 FM AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1154 INFO RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION COLLECTIVE RUEHVK/AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK 1257
UNCLAS VLADIVOSTOK 000063
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS PGOV RS
SUBJECT: US NAVY SHIP VISIT TO VLADIVOSTOK PLAYS PART IN US-RUSSIAN
RESET
UNCLAS VLADIVOSTOK 000063
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS PGOV RS
SUBJECT: US NAVY SHIP VISIT TO VLADIVOSTOK PLAYS PART IN US-RUSSIAN
RESET
1. The U.S. Navy Cruiser USS COWPENS made its contribution in
the resetting of U.S.-Russia relations during a May 7-11 ship
visit to Vladivostok. The visit was the first to Vladivostok
since May of last year and marks the resumption of a tradition
interrupted last July after a planned visit was canceled because
of a logistical disagreement. The Georgian conflict suspended
other mil to mil activities. American sailors from the ship
participated in a number of community relations events, while
officers from the ship and ConGen Vladivostok took part in
official meetings.
2. Ship Commander Holly Graf made several official calls,
including meetings with Vladivostok Mayor Pushkaryov and Deputy
Russian Pacific Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Nikolay Maryasov.
The Commander also hosted a dinner on board the ship for local
naval officers and laid a ceremonial flower garland at the
Russian Pacific Fleet Battle Honors Memorial. Commander Graf
and the Consulate hosted a reception on the ship.
3. Sailors took part in several community relations events.
The ship fielded soccer and basketball teams to take on students
from various Vladivostok universities, while other sailors
participated in a skating session at the local ice rink.
Additionally, sailors and officers visited the Sedanka Veterans
Center, where Captain Holly Graf and others planted trees in the
garden and painted fences. Sedanka is home to surviving World
War Two Soviet veterans who are especially appreciative of the
opportunity to meet with American sailors who reciprocated the
respect and enjoyment. They also visited the Mayak Children's
Center, where sailors played with the children, made renovations
to the facility, and presented gifts. Later, veterans, Russian
Pacific Fleet sailors, regional officials and a group from the
Mayak Children's Center toured the cruiser.
4. Comment. The visit of the USS COWPENS was an excellent
opportunity for the Russian public to interact with Americans.
Ship visits help dispel negative stereotypes and are a great
example of transformational diplomacy as many sailors take to
the streets in uniform, meeting with Russians and representing
America extremely well. The visits were covered extensively in
the media, and public interest was high. Many officials
expressed hope that the tradition, especially on Victory Day,
will continue. The visits offer us an opportunity to segue from
our shared success in defeating fascism to our shared interests
today. ConGen Vladivostok strongly supports these ship visits
and looks forward to further outreach opportunities with Embassy
Moscow's support during the upcoming Independence Day ship visit.
ARMBRUSTER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS PGOV RS
SUBJECT: US NAVY SHIP VISIT TO VLADIVOSTOK PLAYS PART IN US-RUSSIAN
RESET
1. The U.S. Navy Cruiser USS COWPENS made its contribution in
the resetting of U.S.-Russia relations during a May 7-11 ship
visit to Vladivostok. The visit was the first to Vladivostok
since May of last year and marks the resumption of a tradition
interrupted last July after a planned visit was canceled because
of a logistical disagreement. The Georgian conflict suspended
other mil to mil activities. American sailors from the ship
participated in a number of community relations events, while
officers from the ship and ConGen Vladivostok took part in
official meetings.
2. Ship Commander Holly Graf made several official calls,
including meetings with Vladivostok Mayor Pushkaryov and Deputy
Russian Pacific Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Nikolay Maryasov.
The Commander also hosted a dinner on board the ship for local
naval officers and laid a ceremonial flower garland at the
Russian Pacific Fleet Battle Honors Memorial. Commander Graf
and the Consulate hosted a reception on the ship.
3. Sailors took part in several community relations events.
The ship fielded soccer and basketball teams to take on students
from various Vladivostok universities, while other sailors
participated in a skating session at the local ice rink.
Additionally, sailors and officers visited the Sedanka Veterans
Center, where Captain Holly Graf and others planted trees in the
garden and painted fences. Sedanka is home to surviving World
War Two Soviet veterans who are especially appreciative of the
opportunity to meet with American sailors who reciprocated the
respect and enjoyment. They also visited the Mayak Children's
Center, where sailors played with the children, made renovations
to the facility, and presented gifts. Later, veterans, Russian
Pacific Fleet sailors, regional officials and a group from the
Mayak Children's Center toured the cruiser.
4. Comment. The visit of the USS COWPENS was an excellent
opportunity for the Russian public to interact with Americans.
Ship visits help dispel negative stereotypes and are a great
example of transformational diplomacy as many sailors take to
the streets in uniform, meeting with Russians and representing
America extremely well. The visits were covered extensively in
the media, and public interest was high. Many officials
expressed hope that the tradition, especially on Victory Day,
will continue. The visits offer us an opportunity to segue from
our shared success in defeating fascism to our shared interests
today. ConGen Vladivostok strongly supports these ship visits
and looks forward to further outreach opportunities with Embassy
Moscow's support during the upcoming Independence Day ship visit.
ARMBRUSTER