VZCZCXRO3352
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHLM #0268 0521020
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211020Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2601
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9278
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 6362
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 0137
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 4347
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5822
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 3858
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 1948
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2846

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000268 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR S/ES, INR/MR, PA 
 
SCA/INS (CAMP, SIM, GOWER) SCA/PD (SCENSNY, ROGERS, 
PALLADINO); SCA/PAS 
 
UNCLASSIFIED SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KPAO PREL MV
SUBJECT:  Special Media Reaction: USS McCampbell Visit to 
Maldives 
 
Post's PA section worked in close coordination with DAO to 
arrange press coverage of the February  10-13visit of the 
USS McCampbell to Maldives.  The two main Maldivian daily 
newspapers, Afaathis and Haveeru, ran prominent stories 
about the ship visit on inside pages with photos and quotes 
from the commander.  TV Maldives also carried a story with 
considerable footage of the ship and crew.  The USS 
McCampbell visit is the latest in a series of events PA has 
publicized in Maldivian media, including the launch of the 
U.S.-sponsored Customs Asia Pacific Enforcement Report 
System (CAPERS), the bilateral Tsunami assistance 
cooperation agreement, and an Embassy-sponsored journalism 
training program.  Through the media, the Maldivian public 
has been readily informed of the heightened attention the 
U.S. is paying to the U.S.-Maldivian bilateral relationship. 
We will continue to publicize our increased engagement with 
the country. 
 
ENTWISTLE