2004 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000881 SIPDIS STATE FOR L/CID AND EB/IFD/OIA E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: EINV EFIN PGOV KIDE SUBJECT: 2004 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND EXPROPRIATION CLAIMS - IRELAND REF:STATE 78697 ¶1. Post is aware of one (1) claim of a United States citizen that is outstanding against the Government of Ireland (GOI). ¶2. The dispute involves the salvage rights of the United States citizen Greggory Bemis to the wreck of the ocean liner Lusitania. In 1998 the GOI imposed a "Heritage Order" on the wreck site, designating it part of the national historic patrimony and giving the GOI's heritage service authority to regulate access to the site. Bemis, the Lusitania's owner, has twice applied for and been denied access to the wreck on the grounds that the proposed exploration would threaten the Lusitania's preservation. In July 2001 Bemis filed for judicial review of the ruling. The case came before the Irish High Court in November 2003. To date, there has been no judgment. KENNY