FRENCH NOTIFICATION OF MARITIME INFRACTION BY U.S.

UNCLAS PARIS 000015 SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/TPP/OTP-SMILLER, EUR/WE-SBALL, JLEVIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT FR IMO SUBJECT: FRENCH NOTIFICATION OF MARITIME INFRACTION BY U.S. VESSEL ¶1. (U) The French Foreign Ministry has provided the Embassy with a report filed by the GOF's Maritime Affairs Administrator alleging an infraction of international maritime traffic rules by the U.S.-flagged merchant vessel "Ascencion" on August 15, 2004 off the coast of France in the English Channel. An informal translation of the diplomatic note accompanying the report is in para 2. Embassy has mailed the hardcopy original of the report and supporting documentation provided by the Foreign Ministry to State - EB/TPP/OTP and requests it handle the report as necessary. ¶2. (U) BEGIN INFORMAL TRANSLATION OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE: Ministry of Foreign Affaires French Republic No 2864/DE/ETI The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to transmit the attached report of an infraction involving a American-flagged ship that was caught in violation of international rules of maritime traffic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be grateful to the Embassy of the United States of America if it would transmit these documents to the relevant authorities and keep it informed of the eventual action taken as a result of this notification. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Paris December 1, 2004 Attachment: Report of violation (vessel "Ascencion") END INFORMAL TRANSLATION" Wolff