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