UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002588

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PM/ISO FGRESS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL PHSA CI
SUBJECT: BLUE MARLIN AND SBX-1 TRANSIT UNEVENTFUL, CHILE
GRANTS SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY FOR THE SBX-1

REF: A. SANTIAGO 02525

B. STATE 225552

C. SANTIAGO 02348

D. STATE 195512


1. The Blue Marlin, carrying the SBX-1 radar array (ref D),
cleared Chilean waters the morning of December 18. The
passage was uneventful and occasioned no press coverage. On
December 17, as it passed the Chilean port of Punta Arenas,
the vessel offloaded the body of a Blue Marlin crewmember who
died of an apparent heart attack December 14, while the ship
was in international waters. Chilean officials supervised
the removal of the body and conducted a brief investigation
while the Blue Marlin remained underway.


2. Post received diplomatic note No 19721 from the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Special Policies Directorate, on December

19. The note stated that the GOC had no objection to the
transit of the Blue Marlin and SBX-1, and recognized the
sovereign immunity of the SBX-1 as United State Government
property. (Post Note: This broad grant of immunity to U.S.
government property would seem to set a useful precedent for
future requests. End Note.) Full text in Spanish and English
translation follow.

Begin text:

REPiBLICA DE CHILE Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
No. 19721

E1 Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores - Direcci"n de
Pol!tica Especial - saluda muy atentamente a la Honorable
Embajada de Estados Unidos y tiene el honor de acusar recibo
de su Nota Nx 329, mediante la cual se anuncia el paso por el
Estrecho de Magallanes de 1a motonave "Blue Marlin", que
transporta un Radar de Banda X con Base Marina (SBX-1), e1
que durante su trayecto no estar operativo.

Sobre el particular, este Ministerio se complace en informar
que e1 tr nsito de este equipo no presenta objeciones para
1as autoridades nacionales competentes. Asimismo, 1a
Direcci"n de Pol!tica Especial se permite hacer presente que
mientras e1 mencionado equipo se encuentre a bordo de1 nav!o
Blue Marlin se reconoce 1a condici"n de propiedad del
Gobierno de los Estados Unidos de AmQrica y, por 1o tanto,
est sujeto a inmunidad de jurisdicci"n.

Asimismo, la Armada de Chile inform" que ha dispuesto otorgar
las facilidades de1 caso, incluyendo e1 pilotaje en el
Estrecho de Magallanes y una escolta naval en la misma zona.

Por otra parte, este Ministerio hace presente a esa Embajada
que e1 Gobierno de 1os Estados Unidos deber asumir su
responsabilidad en casos de accidentes y emergencias,
incluyendo aquellas de tipo ambiental.

E1 Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores - Direcci"n de
Pol!tica Especial -hace propicia la ocasi"n para reiterar a
la Honorable Embajada de Estados Unidos de AmQrica 1as
seguridades de su mas alta y distinguida consideraci"n.

Santiago, 21 de diciembre, 2005.


REPUBLIC OF CHILE Ministry of Foreign Relations
No. 19721

The Ministry of Foreign Relations - Directorate of Special
Policy - presents its compliments to the Honorable Embassy of
the United States of America and has the honor to acknowledge
receipt of its Note Nx 329, announcing transit through the
Strait of Magellan of the motor vessel "Blue Marlin,"
transporting a Sea Based X Band Radar (SBX-1), which will not
be in operation during transit.

In this regard, the Ministry is pleased to inform that
transit of this equipment does not raise any objections from
the competent national authorities. Also, the Directorate of
Special Policy takes the liberty to affirm that while the
aforementioned equipment is on board the vessel Blue Marlin
its status as property of the Government of the United States
of America is recognized and, therefore, enjoys
jurisdictional immunity.

Likewise, the Chilean Navy informs that it has arranged to
grant the appropriate facilities, including pilotage in the
Strait of Magellan and a naval escort in the same zone.

Furthermore, the Ministry points out to the Embassy that the
Government of the United States must take responsibility in
case of accidents and emergencies, including those of an
environmental nature.

The Ministry of Foreign Relations - Directorate of Special
Policy - avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the
Honorable Embassy of the United States of America the
assurances of its highest and most distinguished
consideration.

Santiago, December 21, 2005.

End Text
KELLY