Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 05MANILA1955, JOLO LOCALS WELCOME US ATTENTION

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
05MANILA1955 2005-04-29 08:53 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Manila
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001955 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/PMBS,INR/EAP, USIP - SOLOMON 
USAID FOR INFO PHILIPPINE DESK OFFICER CALISTA DOWNEY, 
ANE/DAA DEBBIE KENNEDY-IRAHETA, ANE/EAA KAY FREEMAN, DAA 
WALTER NORTH 
NSC FOR GREEN 
SEOUL FOR ERIC JOHN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PTER KISL PGOV PHUM PINS PREL MOPS RP
SUBJECT: JOLO LOCALS WELCOME US ATTENTION 
 
REF: A. MANILA 835 
     B. 04 MANILA 5628 
     C. 04 MANILA 3817 
     D. 04 MANILA 3939 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  Ambassador's April 22 visit to Jolo Town, 
the capital of Sulu Province, centered on handover ceremonies 
for several USAID-funded assistance programs including road 
projects, village electrification, and Internet-linked 
computers for an elementary school.  USAID Manila Mission 
Director, visiting SOCPAC Commander, and the Italian 
Ambassador accompanied local politicians and military 
commanders who warmly responded to US military proposals to 
assess local humanitarian needs in cooperation with the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines (AFP).  End Summary. 
 
Local Appreciation 
------------------ 
 
2.  (SBU) Ambassador's delegation to Jolo included Italian 
Ambassador to the Philippines Umberto Colesanti, Autonomous 
Region In Muslim Mindanao Governor Parouk Hussin, Sulu 
Governor Benjamin Loong, USAID-P Mission Director Dr. Michael 
Yates, US Defense Attache Colonel Terry Cook, and visiting 
BGen David Fridovich, the Commanding Officer of Special 
Operations Command - Pacific (SOCPAC). 
 
3.  (SBU) The April 22 tour of the city showcased the range 
of USAID programs in the island province, which is located 
570 miles south of Manila.  USAID's road improvement projects 
link key towns outside of Jolo -- an important transportation 
development, according to one local, who noted that it was 
previously easier to travel between coastal towns by sea 
rather than by using the dilapidated road.  Parents, 
teachers, and students were grateful for Internet-linked 
computers from USAID that now provide almost 10,000 students 
in Sulu Province internet and computer literacy training.  To 
date, USAID has also electrified 18 remote villages on Jolo, 
with 70 more to follow. 
 
US JSOTF-P To Assess Community Needs 
------------------------------------ 
 
4.  (SBU) In a private meeting, Ambassador and BGen Fridovich 
sounded out Governors Loong and Hussin as well as LtGen 
Alberto Braganza -- Commander, Philippine Southern Command -- 
about a proposed Joint Special Operations Task 
Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) assessment team that could 
potentially set the stage for US civil-military activities on 
the island.  Loong, Hussin, and Braganza expressed eagerness 
for such an assessment and confidence that local inhabitants 
would welcome the team.  However, Governor Hussin cautioned 
that the inhabitants of Jolo are known for their combative 
nature.  While eager for US attention and development 
assistance, whether from civilian or military sources, local 
communities would react to any appearance that US soldiers 
were there to "conduct operations against them." 
 
5.  (SBU) BG Fridovich stressed that a small JSOTF team would 
conduct their assessment transparently and in a short time. 
They would come only if and when they are welcomed by the 
local communities.  They would seek an open exchange of ideas 
and intentions with all players, building on Governor Loong's 
projects that supplement the University of the Philippines 
water survey, and USAID's experience.  US soldiers also would 
work with AFP counterparts, not unilaterally, in their 
assessments and any resulting civil affairs projects.  BG 
Fridovich acknowledged Governor Loong's assertion that 
potable water was a priority, and saw such engineering 
projects as a distinct possibility for US cooperation with 
AFP engineers.  He was careful to repeat that JSOTF-P could 
make no promises for specific projects in advance of the 
survey, and reminded the Governors to avoid raising community 
expectations. 
 
6.  (SBU) At a later roundtable with local Muslim clerics, 
one 80-year old imam appeared thrilled at the prospect of 
foreign -- particularly US -- assistance.  Speaking in front 
of a room full of fellow Muslims and national media at the 
Jolo Islamic Library, he stressed to the Ambassador: "We are 
products of American teachers of decades ago, and we are 
trying to pass on to our young people here what Americans 
taught us, even as we teach the true meaning of our Faith. 
We tell them to  support the good and reject the bad.,  We 
welcome Americans here.  You bring only good things.  Manila 
gives us nothing, and is fully corrupt." 
 
Comment: A Neglected Outpost Welcomes US Attention 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
7.  (SBU) Sulu is one of the Philippines' poorest provinces. 
USAID projects there have already made some headway in 
addressing some of the area's basic needs, and have 
established a strong popular welcome for more such US 
assistance.  Through our development assistance projects, we 
have come to know many local leaders who have made a choice 
in favor of peace and stability. US military support to 
improve AFP civil affairs programs could help move relations 
between government and people toward normalcy in this 
conflict-affected area.  At the national level, to a man and 
woman, all Cabinet-level leaders involved in Mindanao peace, 
security, and development issues have welcomed the prospect 
of greater US assistance and visibility in Jolo, explicitly 
including a careful JSOTF-P assessment of community civil 
affairs needs as related to the security situation. 
 
8.  (SBU) Brigadier General Fridovich did not have the 
opportunity to clear this message. 
 
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/ 
Ricciardone