US NAVY SHIP VISITS VLADIVOSTOK FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

UNCLAS VLADIVOSTOK 000075 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PGOV RS SUBJECT: US NAVY SHIP VISITS VLADIVOSTOK FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY ¶1. The U.S. Navy Destroyer USS STETHEM made a port visit to Vladivostok July 1-6, marking the second visit by a navy ship to Vladivostok since May. American sailors from the ship participated in a number of community relations events, including a "dragon boat" race, and officers from the ship and ConGen Vladivostok took part in official meetings. Ship Commander Shan Byrne and the Consulate hosted an Independence Day reception on board. ¶2. Commander Byrne made several official calls, including meetings with Vladivostok Mayor Igor 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, attended a reception aboard the Russian naval ship Admiral Vinogradov, and laid a ceremonial flower garland at the Russian Pacific Fleet Battle Honors Memorial. Some ship officers and the Consul General attended an international scientific conference entitled "Political Confidence and Security Building in Northeast Asia." ¶3. Sailors took part in several community relations events, the highlight of which was an international two-day dragon boat race tournament. Stethem sailors and Consulate staff represented the U.S. in races against Russian, Chinese, and Australian teams. The ship also fielded basketball, track and field, and volleyball teams to take on various Vladivostok university and youth teams, and played soccer against the Russian Pacific Fleet team. Additionally, sailors and officers visited a local children's cancer ward and the Mayak Children's Center, where sailors made renovations to the playground, played with the children, and presented gifts. The Stethem hosted Russian Pacific Fleet sailors, regional officials and a group from the Mayak Children's Center for a tour of the destroyer. ¶4. Comment. The visit of the USS STETHEM, which came only two months after the Victory Day visit of the USS COWPENS, is a significant indicator that mil to mil relations are improving. Both visits were covered extensively in the media, and public interest remains high. ConGen Vladivostok strongly supports these ship visits and looks forward to further outreach opportunities with Embassy Moscow's support. ARMBRUSTER