AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS IN SEYCHELLES

UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000720 SIPDIS DEPT FOR MARIA BEYZEROV L/LEI FOR DAVID BUCCHOLZ SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ODIP PREL CJAN CASC CVIS MASS SE SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS IN SEYCHELLES REF: A) PORT LOUIS 713 B) PORT LOUIS 618 ¶1. (U) Summary: Ambassador Cesar Cabrera presented his credentials to Seychelles President James Michel on November 21. During his visit the Ambassador had productive meetings with the President, Vice-President, and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Health. He visited two CJTF-HOA construction projects Praslin Island. He also hosted a reception for the resident American citizen community on board the USCGC Midgett, a Coast Guard cutter in port for an R and R visit. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Claude Morel, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and U.S. Desk Officer Selby Pillay escorted the Ambassador to his credentials ceremony at the State House. Also present were Minister of Foreign Affairs Patrick Pillay, Consular Officer Wendy Ryde, and Commander Joey Dodgen, Country Coordination Element from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). After the ceremony, President Michel and the Ambassador discussed a variety of issues which had been raised previously in an early morning meeting with Morel. The President expressed hopes that the relations between the two countries could continue to grow stronger. After Ambassador Cabrera congratulated him on his recent electoral win, Michel indicated that he is trying to find a way forward with the opposition, and hopes that they will soon return to parliament (ref A). He told the Ambassador he has formed an independent committee to investigate the October 2006 incident in which opposition leaders were beaten by police during demonstrations. The Ambassador raised the issue of the extradition treaty, at which point Foreign Minister Pillay indicated that the issue is currently under examination at the Attorney General's office, where it has stalled due to "legal problems" (ref B). President Michel reiterated interest in coming to agreement and indicated he did not want Seychelles becoming a haven for criminals. ¶3. (SBU) Prior to the credentials ceremony, Ambassador Cabrera met with Principal Secretary Morel at the MFA. Morel raised several issues with the Ambassador, including his gratitude for the various military and police training opportunities extended to Seychelles citizens. He expressed interest in the U.S. Military Services Academy program and asked that we forward information on application procedures to the Seychelles government. ¶4. (SBU) Morel asked about the reopening of the Consular Agency and asked if the U.S. would be opening an American Presence Post in Seychelles. He also asked if local visa issuance would be possible, and expressed regret at the difficulties faced by Seychelles citizens who must travel to Mauritius for interviews. (Note: One difficulty facing said travelers is the foreign exchange limitation of $400, imposed by the Seychelles government. End note.) The Ambassador responded that we hope to have a new Consular Agent on board in January and that we are exploring the idea of expanding our presence there. With regards to visa issuance, he encouraged Morel and his team to work closely with Consular staff in order to provide maximum information to Seychelles citizens and to facilitate the visa process. The Ambassador said the USG wants to reach agreement with the GOS on the legal basis to request and process extraditions. Morel responded that his staff, in connection with the Attorney General's office, was looking into it and that he hoped we could come to agreement soon on the status of the 1931 U.S.-UK treaty. ¶5. (U) On day two, Ambassador Cabrera, accompanied by Commander Dodgen, visited two CJTF-HOA projects on Praslin Island. Currently, construction is in progress on a health clinic and a morgue. Completion is expected in January, at which time the Ambassador plans to return for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Note: President Michel was invited to this event during the credentials meeting). ¶6. (U) The Ambassador and ship commander co-hosted an event on board the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Midgett for U.S. citizens. Approximately thirty U.S. citizens attended, representing roughly half the total of registered Americans living in Seychelles. Those present remarked that they appreciated the opportunity to meet the new Ambassador and that his visit inspired a new sense of community. ¶7. (U) During his trip, Ambassador Cabrera also had an opportunity for courtesy calls with the Mexican Ambassador to Seychelles (resident in Nairobi),Juan Carlos Cue-Vega, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, U.K. High Commissioner Diana Skingle. CABRERA