CHIEF OF MISSION COMMENDATION FOR ANTI-PIRACY

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001011 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC KE MOPS OPDC PGOV PREL MAS SUBJECT: CHIEF OF MISSION COMMENDATION FOR ANTI-PIRACY ASSISTANCE ¶1. (U) Vice Admiral Walsh, It is with great pleasure that I send this cable thanking you and the sailors of NAVCENT, particularly the men and women on the USS Winston Churchill and the USS Nassau, for your outstanding support in suppressing piracy along the Somali coast. ¶2. (U) This is a difficult and dangerous mission that is further complicated by the on- going efforts to bring stability to the collapsed state of Somalia. The men and women of NAVCENT have responded in a superb fashion to the challenges posed by this situation. Specifically, the rescue of the crew from the M.V. Safina Al-Bisrat and the capture and transfer to Kenyan authorities of the Somali pirates responsible for this criminal act have sent a strong message that piracy will not be tolerated. Additionally, the speed with which NAVCENT has responded to the requests from the Kenyan Government for assistance in prosecuting these same pirates, despite the logistical difficulties in coordinating the movement of multiple witnesses from deployed ships, has greatly benefited both the bilateral relationship between our two nations and enhanced the image of our own servicemen and women. ¶3. (U) It is my pleasure to inform you that all of the NAVCENT personnel who testified as witnesses at the trial did a superlative job and were the absolute image of integrity and professionalism. Again, I wish to conclude by thanking you and those you command for your assistance and demonstrated professionalism in this matter. BELLAMY