U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE BENEFITS SEYCHELLES ECONOMY

UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000041 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON MARR SE SUBJECT: U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE BENEFITS SEYCHELLES ECONOMY ¶1. SUMMARY: U.S. military activities in Seychelles increased dramatically starting in July 2009. This enhanced U.S. military presence had a significant and positive impact on the country's economy, contributing an estimated $5.5 million to the Seychelles economy during the period July to December, 2009, a significant sum in a country as small as Seychelles. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Thanks in part to a recently-signed U.S./Seychelles SOFA, U.S. military activities in Seychelles increased significantly during. the period from July to December, 2009. There were, for example, twelve ship visits, three Flag Officer visits -- General Ward (AFRICOM),Rear Admiral Kurta (CJTF-HOA),and Rear Admiral Sanders (CTF 151) -- a three month P-3 Deployment (including three P-3 aircraft and 113 personnel),various training programs for local Seychelles government/military staff, and a UAV Operation, OCEAN LOOK, (including 82 contractors and military personnel). ¶3. For bookkeeping purposes, the military divided the activities into three categories: P-3 Deployment, UAV Operation, and Ship Visits. The P-3 Deployment contributed approximately $1.4 million in revenue, in the following areas: Lodging/Billeting $548,852 Vehicle Rental $ 79,672 Facilities/Services $ 34,659 Food/Liberty $127,069 Air Seychelles Services $ 5,000 Aircraft fuel $644,839 - -------------- TOTAL $1, 440,091 - -------------- ¶4. The UAV Operation, OCEAN LOOK, contributed approximately $3.1 million in revenue, in the following areas: Lodging/Billeting $1,457,784 Vehicle Rental $ 51,760 Facilities/Services $ 598,363 Food/Liberty $ 937,260 Aircraft fuel $ 70,777 - -------------- TOTAL $3,115,944 - -------------- ¶5. The Ship Visits contributed approximately $0.9 million in revenue, in the following areas: Facilities/Services $600,000 Food/Liberty $293,400 - -------------- TOTAL $893,400 - -------------- ¶6. The total contribution for the three military programs was $5,449,435; a significant amount to the Seychelles economy. ¶7. The Seychellois have already taken notice of the economic benefits. Seychelles Secretary of State Jean Paul Adam observed that local shop owners and restaurateurs have commented that the U.S. military is bringing steady income into hotels, restaurants, and shops: a direct influence of the American presence. In addition, an indirect benefit has been an increase in tourist confidence resulting from the security provided by the U.S. military. WALKLEY