GRP MULLS AN IMO-BASED MULTILATERAL MARITIME

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002523 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EAP, S/CT, and IO/T - LTOBEY COMDT COGARD FOR G-CI - KJOHNSON SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT ETRD PBTS PREL PTER PHSA KTIA RP SUBJECT: GRP MULLS AN IMO-BASED MULTILATERAL MARITIME FRAMEWORK REF: A. MANILA 1229 ¶B. STATE 32776 MANILA 00002523 001.2 OF 002 Sensitive but Unclassified - Not for Internet - Protect Accordingly. -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On May 22, EAP Security Affairs Officer William Comley met separately with GRP officials and Australian and Japanese emboffs to brief them on recent discussions with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General and continue previous discussions on building a mechanism for multilateral coordination in maritime safety, security, and environmental protection (refs A,B). He discussed the possibility of applying the IMO framework that is being developed for the Malacca and Singapore Straits to the Philippines. The two GRP diplomats appreciated the organized approach and welcomed any efforts to broaden maritime-related relationships. The head of transportation security suggested that two upcoming threat assessments will help identify existing security capabilities and potential gaps. A shipping regulator noted the important role of industry in maritime security. Japanese emboffs were in favor of broader cooperation, but noted that officials in Tokyo decided where to focus resources. Australian emboffs noted existing close relationships on an operational level, with a focus on the Sulu and Sulwesi Seas. Discussions may continue on the margins of the upcoming Military Operations and Law Conference in July. End Summary. -------------- Framework Support -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs Assistant Secretary Romeo Manalo welcomed a strengthened maritime security relationship, which he hoped could be coupled with other relationship- building exercises. He cited the current oceanographic survey among the Philippines, Vietnam, and China, which he viewed as a building block for other maritime activities. Manalo also supported a broad approach to improving security that encourages increased economic opportunities and peaceful conflict resolution. Manalo also recommended that China be involved in any multilateral coordination efforts, particularly given the recent piracy attack near the Spratley Islands. ¶3. (SBU) DFA Maritime and Ocean Affairs Center Secretary- General Alberto Encomienda summarized recent possibilities for collaborative marine scientific research, including a hydrographic survey and an APEC marine ecosystem mapping initiative. He hoped related bilateral projects could be included under the US-RP Science and Technology Agreement. ¶4. (SBU) Ambassador Encomienda was eager to build a framework for multilateral cooperation specific to maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. He told Comley that he looked forward to a progress report on the mechanism to build a maritime-related relationship in the Malacca and Singapore Straits at the next IMO meeting in September, so that he could determine its applicability as a template for Philippine-focused relationships. He also noted that other Philippine agencies such as the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the Coast Guard, and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) often attended meetings hosted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). ¶5. (SBU) MARINA Administrator Vincente Suazo said that shipping insurance premiums have risen because of incidents in the Malacca Straits and that the shipping industry must play an integral role in maritime security. He also highlighted a pending bilateral maritime security agreement MANILA 00002523 002 OF 002 with Malaysia that was developed under the Joint Ministerial Cooperative Agreement as a possible template for an ASEAN maritime security agreement. GRP Chairmanship of ASEAN, which begins in July, would be an opportunity to strengthen regional maritime security cooperation, he said. He linked these efforts to the stronger voice ASEAN now plays within the IMO Council since "four to five out of nine members are ASEAN countries." He also mentioned the existing Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine - East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),which is led by the Mindanao Economic Development Corporation, as a model organization for regional coordination. -------------- Operations Support and Coordination -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Department of Transportation and Communications Office of Transportation Security Undersecretary Cecilio Penilla suggested that the results of the upcoming National Threat Assessment June 1-2 and Contingency Planning Workshop June 7-8 might be a basis for identifying further areas of potential cooperation. The Australian Department of Transportation and Regional Services will fund these activities. The assessments will focus on land, air, and sea and will note strengths and gaps in capabilities. ¶7. (SBU) Japanese Polcouns Taeko Takahashi supported efforts to broaden maritime cooperation and explore other potential avenues, but officials in Tokyo would decide resource focus areas. Takahashi appreciated the need to build long-term, institutional capacity to address security and preempt any potential attacks. She said that the Japanese Government works very closely with the Philippine Coast Guard on short, medium, and long-term counter- terrorism and anti-terrorism efforts. ¶8. (SBU) Australian Deputy Head of Mission Pablo Kang was also supportive of multilateral maritime security coordination, pointing to the existing relationships on an operational level. The U.S., Japanese, and Australian Embassies in Manila closely cooperate on maritime security issues, with specific focus on enhancing security in the Sulu and Sulwesi Seas. Kang shared a matrix that his office developed to increase donor awareness and prevent duplication of programs in the Philippines. Kang mentioned that projects and opportunities for closer maritime security coordination would be further discussed among American, Australian, and Japanese officials during an upcoming trilateral counter-terrorism meeting in Tokyo. -------------- Next Steps -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Follow-on discussions among U.S., GRP, Australian, and Japanese officials will occur on the margins of the USPACOM Military Operations and Law Conference in July in Bangkok, where an entire day will be devoted to regional maritime security. Post will also add to the matrix that Australia has distributed to British, Japanese, and U.S. emboffs. KENNEY