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