KUWAIT SEEKS USG SUPPORT FOR ELECTION TO IMO

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001523 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA/ARP, IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KU SUBJECT: KUWAIT SEEKS USG SUPPORT FOR ELECTION TO IMO COUNCIL ¶1. (SBU) On 4 October, Post received a diplomatic note and background paper from the MFA requesting USG support for Kuwait's election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Group C at the IMO General Assembly to be held November 19-30 in London. A translation of the full text of the dipnote and the enclosed background paper follows. ¶2. (SBU) Begin Text: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of International Organizations September 05, 2007 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents its highest compliments to all diplomatic missions accredited to the State of Kuwait and has the honor to inform them that the State of Kuwait intends to seek election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Group (C) at the elections to held during the 25th Session of IMO General Assembly on November 19-30, 2007 in London. The Government of Kuwait asks that your government support Kuwait's candidacy for election to Group (C) of the Council. Complimentary closing. BACKGROUND PAPER: The Government of the State of Kuwait wishes to inform the governments of the member states of the International Maritime Organization that Kuwait intends to seek election to the IMO-Council under category (C) at the elections to be held during the 25th session of the IMO General Assembly in November 2007. Kuwait has served on the Council since 1960, and during this period Kuwait has actively participated in the work of the Council. The merchant fleet operated by Kuwaiti ship owners is one of the most modern in the world. In specific sectors such as oil tankers, the total fleet operated by Kuwaiti companies consists of about 350 sea-going vessels with a gross tonnage of about 2,587,743 tons. Kuwait has major ports on the Arabian Gulf which are considered to be the most modern ports in the world, and as is the case for all other sectors, sea ports and maritime transportation have undergone remarkable and rapid development to process over 30,052,836 million tons of cargo in 2006. The Government of Kuwait expresses its hope that the governments of the member states of the International Maritime Organization will support its candidacy for election to Group (C) of the Council. End Text. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * MISENHEIMER