VZCZCXRO5368
RR RUEHKN
DE RUEHKN #0148 2620149
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 180149Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY KOLONIA
TO RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI
INFO RHHMHAA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RHMFIUU/COMNAVMARIANAS GU
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2121
RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 2477

UNCLAS KOLONIA 000148 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PACOM FOR ADMIRAL TIMOTHY J. KEATING FROM AMBASSADOR MIRIAM K. 
HUGHES; COMPACFLT FOR ADMIRAL ROBERT F. WILLARD, COMMODORE 
WILLIAM A. KEARNS AND CAPTAIN JAMES P. RICE; COMNAVMARIANAS FOR 
ADMIRAL WILLIAM F. FRENCH; STATE DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR MASS EAID PREL FM
SUBJECT: APPRECIATION FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY MISSION 
 
The visit of the USNS Mercy to the Federated States of 
Micronesia boosted America's credibility with a strategic but 
currently faltering partner in the Pacific at a critical stage 
in our bilateral relationship.  Confidence in America's 
friendship and commitment has soared as a result of this 
generous mission.  The legislatures of all three of the FSM 
states visited, as well as the national FSM Congress, have 
undertaken a rare gesture to enact resolutions that express deep 
gratitude to the United States. 
 
It is particularly fitting that the final stop of the USNS Mercy 
in its Pacific Partnership 2008 voyage took place in a former UN 
Trust Territory of the United States.  The Mercy arrived off the 
coast of Weno Island in Chuuk State on August 22.  Micronesians 
heralded the deployment as a historic reminder of America's 
courageous stand against tyranny in the Second World War.  In 
Chuuk, the United States unleashed Operation Hailstone against 
the main Japanese naval base in the central Pacific on February 
17, 1944.  Japan lost 250 planes and nearly 70 vessels, which 
are wreathed today in brilliant corals at the bottom of Chuuk 
Lagoon.  The liberation of Truk, in which the United States lost 
26 aircraft, marked a turning point in the course of the war in 
the Pacific theater. 
 
When the Mercy streamed toward this same site on August 22, FSM 
President Emanuel Mori and other citizens from his home state 
turned their gaze in awe at the sight of the return of American 
power and humanitarianism.  President Mori and key members of 
his Cabinet, including the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs and 
Health, traveled from the capital of Palikir in Pohnpei to 
devote three days of personal participation to the mission.  The 
Vice President, Speaker of the FSM Congress and several FSM 
Senators additionally traveled to Chuuk to endorse the mission 
and our reinvigorated partnership in the Pacific.  President 
Mori stated, "I want to thank the men and women of the USNS 
Mercy and the Seabee teams for your kindness and friendship to 
the people of Chuuk and to the entire nation.  We are 
appreciative of your humanitarian mission.  We are humble and we 
are indeed grateful." 
 
During their fourteen-day visit to the FSM, Mercy medical 
personnel treated 16,687 Micronesians (over 15 percent of the 
nation's total population), including in the states of Yap and 
Pohnpei as well as Chuuk.  More than 200 surgeries took place on 
board the ship.  Seabee construction teams renovated schools and 
Chuuk's decrepit and dangerous hospital. 
 
I join the top leadership of the FSM, as well as countless 
Micronesians from villages, twelve outer islands, and the state 
capitals, in expressing my profound gratitude to the Pacific 
Fleet Command for sending the Mercy to Micronesia.  Commodore 
William Kearns set the highest example of friendship, 
operational precision and gracious liaison at all levels.  The 
dinner he hosted on board for President Mori, members of the 
Cabinet and leaders of Chuuk State has significantly deepened 
our ties of cooperation.  Captains James Rice, Robert Wiley and 
Peter Linz exuded high, consistent professionalism.  Even in 
drenching downpours on small boats, they demonstrated warm 
outreach, indomitable spirit, and tireless dedication to their 
mission.  Advance team leadership was superb in a setting that 
presented a series of harrowing, local obstacles.  Lieutenant 
Commander Ryan Collins and Lieutenants Ryan Pierce and Aaron 
Hager anticipated and resolved all problems with unparalleled 
proficiency, cordiality and creative pragmatism.  We are 
additionally indebted to our outstanding colleagues at 
COMNAVMARIANAS under the strong leadership of Rear Admiral 
William French, who provided constant support, encouragement and 
participation, especially during the inauguration of Seabee 
projects in Chuuk on September 10.  We have just returned from a 
stunning finale. 
 
While a full report will follow, the U.S. Embassy could not wait 
to express our heartfelt appreciation.  The Mercy Mission has 
stimulated a rare outpouring of gratitude and civic mobilization 
in the Federated States of Micronesia, which we can build upon. 
Thank you for your tremendous role in boosting America's image, 
reinforcing the principles for which we stand as a nation, 
immeasurably strengthening U.S.-FSM relations, and demonstrating 
irrefutable Pacific Partnership in 2008 and beyond. 
 
HUGHES