NOAA R/V R.H. BROWN PERMITTING IN PROGRESS

UNCLAS LIMA 001884 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS USEU FOR DCM MCKINLEY DEPT FOR WHA/AND, EPSC AND OES/ETC,ENV BRASILIA FOR ESTH HUB - J STORY SAN JOSE FOR ESTH HUB - B LINK INTERIOR FOR USFWS/R GABEL OES/OA FOR ETIRPAK/RBARNES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KVRC TPHY EWWT SENV PE SUBJECT: NOAA R/V R.H. BROWN PERMITTING IN PROGRESS REF: STATE 58664 ¶1. (U) Summary: ESTHoff delivered request for R/V Ronald H. Brown to conduct research in Peruvian waters in October 2007, via diplomatic note to the MFA on May 11, with copies to relevant GOP agencies. In discussions with GOP agencies over the past several days, all agreed to make the permit process as smooth as possible. It will be important to secure berthing for at least one (and preferably more) Peruvian scientists on the cruise. End Summary. ¶2. (U) ESTHoff delivered discussed Reftel demarche with MFA'S Director for Maritime Affairs and International Whaling Commission (IWC) Commissioner Doris Sotamayor on May ESTHoff delivered request for R/V Ronald H. Brown to conduct research in Peruvian waters in October 2007, via diplomatic note with NOAA documents as attachments, to the MFA on May 11, with copies to relevant GOP agencies: IMARPE, the GOP's marine research agency, and PRODUCE, the Ministry of Production that includes the Vice Ministry of Fisheries. ESTHoff met with Sotamayor on May 21 to discuss the request. Also in attendance were Minister Counselor Liliana Gomez (soon to leave for another diplomatic posting) and action officer Jorge Garazatua, who will be first MFA POC for vessel clearances for the coming year. Sotamayor agreed that all would work together to make the permitting process as smooth as possible. IMARPE Director Admiral -------------- also expressed satisfaction at the news of the R/V's planned cruise, saying its work would be important for climate change studies. ¶3. Sotamayor noted that it was critical that at least one, and preferably more Peruvian scientists be given a berth for the voyage. ESTHoff replied that normally NOAA had space for one scientist but would investigate space for more. (Note: an IMARPE scientist accompanied the voyage of NOAA vessel North Star last year; MFA and IMARPE contacts were quite appreciative. End Note.) Also important was eventual receipt of whatever written results were produced. Finally, Sotamayor said that the GOP needed a vessel itinerary signed by the responsible chief scientist or vessel master; a scanned signature emailed to post will be sufficient with eventual delivery of hard copy to follow. ¶4. Post main point of contact for the permitting process is Esteban Sandoval, sandovalej@state.gov, telephone 51-1 618-2417. The other POC is ESTHoff Hal Howard, howardhh@state.gov, 618-2414 until June ¶8. After June 8 the new ESTHoff contact is Marcos Mandojana, mandojanamc@state.gov, 618-2411. STRUBLE