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