JAMAICA: LETTER TO TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETERS re

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 001625 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS TRANSPORTATION FOR SECRETARY PETERS STATE FOR IO/T - LAURA LUFTIG WHA/CAR - JOE TILGHMAN LONDON FOR EST - J. WHITTLESEY USCG FOR CG-52 AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC IMO EWWT PHSA UK JM XL SUBJECT: JAMAICA: LETTER TO TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETERS re CANDIDACY FOR CAT C OF IMO COUNCIL REF: (A) STATE 148540 (250018Z OCT 07) (B) KINGSTON 1604 (291728Z OCT 07) 1.(SBU) Post has received the following diplomatic note, dated 26 October 2007, from the Government of Jamaica (GOJ)'s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade: (Begin text of GOJ diplomatic note 50/140/19) -------------- " The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica present its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and, with reference to Jamaica's candidature to the Council of the International Maritime Organization, Category C, has the honour to enclose a letter from the Minister of Transport and Works, Honourable L. Michael Henry, addressed to Mrs. Mary E. Peters, Secretary of Transportation, United States of America. SIPDIS The Ministry further has the honour to request the assistance of the Embassy in transmitting the above-mentioned correspondence to its high destination. The Ministry of Foreign affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. " (End text of GOJ diplomatic note 50/140/19) -------------- 2.(SBU) Enclosed with the above note was the following letter, dated October 4, from the Government of Jamaica's Minister of Transport and Works, the Hon. L. Michael Henry, addressed to Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters: SIPDIS (Begin text of Henry - Peters letter dated Oct. 4) -------------- -------------- " Dear Colleague Minister, As you are aware, the elections for the Council for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be held during the 25th Session of the IMO General Assembly to be held in London from November 19 to 30, 2007. Jamaica has submitted its candidature for election to Category C of the Council and is seeking the support of the United States in this regard. Jamaica has been a member of the IMO since 1976 and has ratified the most important conventions governing maritime safety, security and pollution prevention. Over the years our participation in the work of the IMO has increased. Jamaica currently has the honour of chairing the IMO Sub-Committee on Standards of training and Watch-keeping and two (2) Jamaicans serve on the IMO Panel of Competent persons. We have also had the honour to chair Committee I of the 23rd Assembly in 2003 and have been an active member of the Maritime Safety Committee's maritime Security Working Group. The decision of the Government to submit its candidature for category C membership of the Council is strategic and of critical importance to both Jamaica and the Caribbean Region. The country has a broad-based maritime infrastructure comprising ports, seafarer training, shipping, maritime administration and allied activities and has a vested interest in port, flag and coastal state standards. Additionally Jamaica has been at the forefront of the efforts of the Caribbean to develop and regulate the Region's maritime activities in accordance with international standards. The Government of Jamaica is therefore confident that, if elected to the IMO Council, Jamaica will be able to make a more meaningful contribution to the work of the IMO and effectively represent our Region. The United States and Jamaica enjoy friendly relations and we would be grateful for your support in our election bid. I look forward to your support and hope to meet you at the 25th Session of the Assembly of the IMO. Thank you, and please accept the assurances of my highest consideration. KINGSTON 00001625 002 OF 002 Yours sincerely, //s// ¶L. Michael Henry, C.D., M.P. Minister " (End text of Henry - Peters letter dated Oct. 4) -------------- --- 3.(U) Post will transmit original of the above letter to WHA/CAR via pouch. JOHNSON 3