Cablegate: Ssgt Carpentier and Lcpl Smith Request Permission to Be
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DE RUEHML #4718/01 3200753
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O 160753Z NOV 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3932
INFO RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 004718
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/PD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR KCRM CASC KPAO RP
SUBJECT: SSGT CARPENTIER AND LCPL SMITH REQUEST PERMISSION TO BE
INTERVIEWED BY ASSOCIATED PRESS TV
MANILA 00004718 001.20 OF 002
1. This is an action request - see para 6.
2. Summary. Two of the four U.S. Marines currently awaiting the
November 27 verdict on charges of raping a Filipina in Subic in
November 2005, SSGT Carpentier and LCPL Smith, have requested
Embassy's permission to grant a television interview to Associated
Press TV on the subject of their trial. These two Marines have
already given several interviews to Philippines media organizations
under our usual procedures regarding such interviews, but this is
the first time they have sought permission for a U.S. media contact.
Embassy Manila therefore requests guidance from relevant Washington
agencies as to whether permission should be granted. USG personnel
in the Philippines under Chief of Mission authority, as we
understand the Marines to be given their current TDY status, are
required to obtain permission from the Department prior to granting
interviews to U.S. news media. We also request that III MEF and
Defense Department provide an opinion on the appropriateness and
advisability of granting this request. See action request in
paragraph 6. End Summary.
3. SSGT Chad Carpentier and LCPL Daniel Smith submitted the
following memorandum to Mission leadership on November 8:
Begin text.
a. On 15 November 2006 at the US Embassy in Manila, we desire to
grant a television interview to Tess Cerojano of The Associated
Press.
b. We have consulted with our defense counsel and have been advised
of the pros and cons of speaking with the media. After carefully
considering the advice of our defense counsel we have made the
informed decision to grant the above-mentioned interview.
c. We understand that during this interview, we may not appear in
uniform and we may only speak on our own behalf and not in our
capacity as Marines.
End text.
4. SSGT Carpentier and LCPL Smith simultaneously submitted three
additional requests to conduct interviews with Philippines news
organizations. Consistent with past practice, they have been
granted permission under the Mission's usual guidelines (para 5) to
do an interview with GMA-7 and a television interview with ABS-CBN,
the two leading television networks in the Philippines. These
interviews will likely take place later this month, shortly prior to
the scheduled announcement of a verdict in their case. The request
to do an additional hour-long, live interview at the ABS-CBN studios
in Quezon City was denied, and the Marines were informed that
off-site interviews could not be supported for logistical and
security reasons by Mission staff.
5. The Marines have been informed that the conditions stipulated by
III MEF and the Mission for giving interviews are that:
--You may speak on your own behalf, not in your capacity as a member
of the U.S. Marine Corps;
--You must wear civilian clothes during the interview;
--You may not claim to represent the U.S. Government or the U.S.
Embassy or speak about official U.S. policy;
--You may not discuss the merits of the Visiting Forces Agreement
and the "right" of the Philippines for jurisdiction and/or custody
in cases that fall under the VFA;
--You may not discuss details relating to your quarters at the
Embassy or any other details about the Embassy that could affect
Embassy security;
--You may not discuss your relations with or the job
responsibilities of Embassy employees; and
--All logistical arrangements must be in accordance with
recommendations from the Embassy's Regional Security Office and
General Services Office to maximize safety and convenience.
6. ACTION REQUEST - Standing procedures worldwide require all U.S.
Mission staff and personnel under Chief of Mission authority to
request Department concurrence in advance of giving on-the-record
interviews to U.S. news organizations. We request Department views
on this request by SSGT Carpentier and LCPL Smith. Additionally, we
seek the views of III MEF and the Department of Defense on this
subject. Interviews with local Philippine media could contribute
to a favorable impression of the accused U.S. Marines in advance of
the anticipated Nov 27 verdict. The potential contribution of
interviews with U.S. or international media to the case of the four
enlisted Marines is less obvious to us. As both men and the news
organization are eager to carry out this interview, and given that
the announcement of a verdict in this case is expected in less than
two weeks time, we request your urgent attention to their request.
MANILA 00004718 002.2 OF 002
KENNEY