Cablegate: Inviting Arf Members to Sept 16-18 Arf Disaster

VZCZCXRO3200
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHPB
DE RUEHML #1839 2400912
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280912Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5036
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM IMMEDIATE
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 001839

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO KEVIN SHEIVES EAP/RSP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ARF EAID MARR PREL RP
SUBJECT: INVITING ARF MEMBERS TO SEPT 16-18 ARF DISASTER
RELIEF DIALOGUE

REF: SECSTATE 86139: INVITING ARF MEMBERS TO
SEPTEMBER 16-18 ARF DISASTER RELIEF DIALOGUE

1. On August 27, POLOFF met with Philippine government ASEAN
Affairs officer Bryan Baguio. Baguio, who was already well
aware of the event, was enthusiastic about the ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting planned for September
16-18 in Honolulu, saying that the Philippine government
looks forward to participating fully.

2. In response to reftel, Post requests funding for three
Philippine government officials identified to attend this
conference.

3. The officials in order of priority are: Colonel Gregorio
Catapang, Philippines Army, Military Assistant to the
Assistant Secretary of Strategic Assessment, Office of the
Secretary of National Defense; Mr. Leo Herrera-Lim, Senior
Special Assistant, Office of the Undersecretary of Policy,
Department of Foreign Affairs; and Bryan Jess Baguio,
Principal Assistant, Office of Political-Security, ASEAN
Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs. All three officials
were instrumental in ensuring the first-ever regional ARF VDR
field exercise held earlier this year in the Philippines was
an unqualified success. They will also continue their roles
as senior advisors to the Philippine government in
preparation for next year's ARF-VDR exercise. Requested
funding for travel costs is an estimated USD 2,000 per
airplane ticket and per diem.
KENNEY

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