USS REUBEN JAMES VISITS TIMOR-LESTE

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SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MCAP PGOV TT
SUBJECT: USS REUBEN JAMES VISITS TIMOR-LESTE


1. (SBU) Summary: The USS Reuben James visited Timor-Leste
February 21-24 and completed highly successful
military-to-military engagements, humanitarian engineering
projects, and community relations activities. Led by the Chief
of the Timorese Defense Forces (F-FDTL),the F-FDTL engaged with
the U.S. sailors on board the USS Reuben James as well as at the
Timorese Naval Port at Hera and on the two Timorese vessels.
Although the Timorese army has been an enthusiastic participant
in past visits, this was the first time the Timorese navy has
engaged closely with their U.S. counterparts. This visit along
with the continued engagement from U.S. Pacific Command
continues to strengthen bilateral relations and contribute to
our Mission strategic goal of maintaining peace and stability in
Timor-Leste. End Summary.

The Visit of the USS Reuben James
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2. (U) The USS Reuben James, a guided missile frigate, visited
Timor-Leste February 21-24. Spending three days anchored in the
Dili port in full view of the local population, the USS Reuben
James hosted a diplomatic reception for local dignitaries
(including the Prosecutor General and the F-FDTL Chief of
Staff),welcomed the F-FDTL Chief of Defense Forces Major
General Taur Matan Ruak for a personal tour, and dispatched
about 120 Navy personnel ashore for liberty in and around Dili
each night without incident.

Navy Community Relations Activities
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3. (U) The sailors from the USS Rueben James conducted several
community relations activities including a Project Handclasp
donation of medical supplies to the National Hospital and visits
to two Dili orphanages to donate medical supplies and toys. The
sailors also brought with them donations from the 7th Fleet's
Spouse Group to the Alola Foundation, an NGO founded by Kirsty
Sword Gusmao, the Prime Minister's wife. Many of the sailors
also helped to paint the interior of the National University,
working together with the resident U.S. Navy Construction
Battalion (Seabees) detachment and local Timorese. The sailors
from the Rueben James also had the opportunity to participate in
a soccer tournament between the F-FDTL sailors and the
Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF).



Bilateral engagement between the U.S. and Timorese Military
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4. (U) Twenty F-FDTL sailors engaged directly with U.S. sailors
aboard the USS Reuben James, sharing experience and expertise.
After declining a number of invitations in the past, this was
the first time that the Timorese navy has participated in such
an exercise (Note: The F-FDTL army, engineering, and other units
have all been enthusiastic participants of such engagements in
the past, but a combination of over-strained personnel resources
and personality issues have obstructed participation by the
navy). Following the session aboard the USS Reuben James, a
group of U.S. sailors accompanied the F-FDTL to Port Hera to
tour their navy base and visit their two Albatroz-class patrol
boats.



Comment
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5. (SBU) The visit of the USS Rueben James to Timor-Leste was
extremely successful. Post welcomes such opportunities from the
U.S. Pacific Command to continue the positive
military-to-military engagement with Timor-Leste and contribute
to our Mission strategic goal of maintaining peace and stability
by encouraging the development of a professional, civilian-led
Timorese military. This visit achieved a long awaited
engagement with the Timorese navy which was welcomed by the
Timorese Naval Commander Captain Pedro as a terrific `initial'
step in our navy-to-navy relationship. From a public relations
perspective, American soldiers and sailors at liberty in Dili is
an increasingly normal and welcome sight.




6. (SBU) Post extends special thanks to the Commander of the USS
Rueben James CDR David Miller, the Operations Officer LT Anthony

D. Pangjogie, and NCIS SA John Beliveau for all of their
assistance in making this a smooth and successful visit. We

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would also like to extend our gratitude to the 7th Fleet's
Spouse Group and Mrs. Nonie Bird for their donations to the
Alola Foundation. In particular, Mrs. Bird's efforts on behalf
of the Alola Foundation following her previous visit to
Timor-Leste were greatly appreciated.



7. (SBU) While this trip was very successful overall, it would
have ran smoother if the USS Reuben James had sent an ADVON team
per the Embassy's request. The ADVON could have assisted in
coordinating the community relation activities and the naval
engagement. The USS Rueben James' constrained communications
bandwidth en route to Timor-Leste made communication and
coordination exceptionally difficult, compelling the Embassy to
make unilateral decisions on behalf of the ship. The use of an
ADVON could have relieved some of these problems and better
prepared the embassy and USS Rueben James.
HENICK