SEEKING SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. NONPROLIFERATION

UNCLAS MANILA 001700 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP, T, L, WHA, AND EAP/PMBS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT KNNP MNUC PARM PHSA PREL RP SUBJECT: SEEKING SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. NONPROLIFERATION AMENDMENTS TO THE SUA CONVENTION REF: STATE 64395 ¶1. (U) Post on April 8 provided maritime and nonproliferation officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) Bureau of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) the non-paper (reftel) on the proposed amendments to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA). After studying the paper and considering our talking points, Director Gary Domingo told poloff April 13 that, while strongly supporting nonproliferation objectives, the GRP remains concerned about Article 8 and the issue of protection of ship owners and seafarers during maritime interdiction and search operations. ¶2. (SBU) According to Domingo, the DFA had found the U.S. non-paper to be "helpful," but the GRP had nonetheless not reached interagency consensus on the effort to amend the SUA Convention. The Philippine Maritime Industry Authority, in particular, is "wary" about the boarding issue, he noted. Domingo observed that concerns about maritime interdiction had also affected the GRP's position on the Proliferation Security Initiative, which it has not yet endorsed. Poloff separately learned that the Maritime Authority plans to send a representative to the April 18-22 London talks. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT. Post will continue to argue the merits of the proposed amendments to the SUA Convention here, but recommends that the U.S. team also engage the Philippine representative on the issue during the upcoming discussions in London. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm Mussomeli