OAS ASSISTANCE FOR HEMISPHERE PORTS IN MEETING

UNCLAS MONTREAL 000696 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/USOAS ECONOFF CROOK-CASTAN AND POLOFF FERRAO OTTAWA FOR ECON AND DHS/ICE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EWWT KCRM PREL PTER MARAD OAS SUBJECT: OAS ASSISTANCE FOR HEMISPHERE PORTS IN MEETING ISPS CODE, FOLLOW-UP TO SECURE PORTS CONFERENCE REF: A) STATE 074894 B) STATE 016086 ¶1. Per reftel A request, post's Principal Officer contacted Port of Montreal (POM) Security Director Felixpier Bergeron to inquire about the POM's progress in completing a plan of action to comply with the new international regulations and standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Shipping and Port Security Code (ISPS). ¶2. Security Director Bergeron, drafter of the POM plan, reported that the Montreal plan is completed. He added that Transport Canada representatives visited the POM on yesterday (May 11),reviewed the plan and were pleased with it. He stated that translation of the plan from English to French, which is expected to be completed in two weeks, is the only detail holding up Transport Canada's final approval. ¶3. Bergeron pointed out that the POM plan may differ from most other ports' plans because it is a Master Plan that consists of 29 sub-plans, one sub-plan for each facility or activity that interfaces with the port. For example, he said there is a separate plan for the pilot boats' terminal, the petroleum terminal, etc. The estimated price tag to implement the POM plan is approximately $9 million (Canadian). ¶4. In response to PO's question about possible technical assistance needs, Bergeron emphasized that the POM has had in place for almost two years enhanced access controls and a top-flight camera surveillance program that is monitored in the Harbor Master's Control Center. (Note: PO learned on an April 26 POM visit arranged for WHA DAS Jewell, that redundant images from the camera surveillance program are routed to a Royal Canadian Mounted Police office located at the port. End note.) Bergeron also mentioned that other international port authorities (ie., Marseille, France and Dakar, Senegal) have visited and/or have arranged imminent visits to the POM, to study the POM plan and/or consult on the preparation of their ports' respective plans. Allen