Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NICOSIA1545
2006-09-12 12:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:
CYPRUS: TORRES STRAIT - REQUEST TO DEMARCHE AUSTRALIAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0025 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHNC #1545 2551239 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121239Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6840 INFO RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RULSSGG/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 3662
UNCLAS NICOSIA 001545
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT PBTS PHSA CY AS
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: TORRES STRAIT - REQUEST TO DEMARCHE AUSTRALIAN
COMPULSORY PILOTAGE REGIME
REF: STATE 136187
UNCLAS NICOSIA 001545
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT PBTS PHSA CY AS
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: TORRES STRAIT - REQUEST TO DEMARCHE AUSTRALIAN
COMPULSORY PILOTAGE REGIME
REF: STATE 136187
1. Per reftel request, Post delivered on September 7 demarche on
the Australian government's decision to impose compulsory pilotage
for the Torres Strait to Sotos Zackheos, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have also sent a copy to Makis
Constantinides, Permanent Secretary, at the Ministry of
Communications and Works. In follow-up conversations, the Ministry
of Communications advised us that they had forwarded our demarche to
the Department of Merchant Shipping for their opinion.
2. On September 12, Captain Andreas Constantinou, Acting Director
of the Department of Merchant Shipping, informed us that,
traditionally, the GOC opposed compulsory pilotage schemes, such as
that imposed by the Australian government. Furthermore, the GOC is
generally supportive of voluntary pilotage schemes, which are the
norm for dangerous sea passages worldwide, such as the Bosphorus
Straits in Turkey. Although he did not have an official response
for us yet, he noted that his Department would consider our proposal
to demarche the Australian government favorably. Post will report
any further GOC reaction.
SCHLICHER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT PBTS PHSA CY AS
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: TORRES STRAIT - REQUEST TO DEMARCHE AUSTRALIAN
COMPULSORY PILOTAGE REGIME
REF: STATE 136187
1. Per reftel request, Post delivered on September 7 demarche on
the Australian government's decision to impose compulsory pilotage
for the Torres Strait to Sotos Zackheos, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have also sent a copy to Makis
Constantinides, Permanent Secretary, at the Ministry of
Communications and Works. In follow-up conversations, the Ministry
of Communications advised us that they had forwarded our demarche to
the Department of Merchant Shipping for their opinion.
2. On September 12, Captain Andreas Constantinou, Acting Director
of the Department of Merchant Shipping, informed us that,
traditionally, the GOC opposed compulsory pilotage schemes, such as
that imposed by the Australian government. Furthermore, the GOC is
generally supportive of voluntary pilotage schemes, which are the
norm for dangerous sea passages worldwide, such as the Bosphorus
Straits in Turkey. Although he did not have an official response
for us yet, he noted that his Department would consider our proposal
to demarche the Australian government favorably. Post will report
any further GOC reaction.
SCHLICHER