Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MADRID1977
2007-10-16 17:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:
SPAIN DETAINS ODYSSEY EXPLORER IN DISPUTED
how-toVZCZCXRO0946 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHMD #1977 2891759 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 161759Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY MADRID TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3620 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU 0361
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001977
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2017
TAGS: PBTS PHSA SCUL SP UK CA ECON
SUBJECT: SPAIN DETAINS ODYSSEY EXPLORER IN DISPUTED
INTERNATIONAL WATERS
REF: STATE 13877 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES HUGO LLORENS FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (
d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001977
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2017
TAGS: PBTS PHSA SCUL SP UK CA ECON
SUBJECT: SPAIN DETAINS ODYSSEY EXPLORER IN DISPUTED
INTERNATIONAL WATERS
REF: STATE 13877 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES HUGO LLORENS FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) The Bahamian-flagged Odyssey Explorer sailed out of
Gibraltar at 9:38 am local time the morning of October 16 and
was immediately approached by the Spanish Navy and the
Guardia Civil approximately 3.5 nautical miles south of
Gibraltar in disputed waters. The Spanish authorities
detained the vessel and forcibly escorted it to the port of
Algeciras where it remains docked. We have received
preliminary indications that at 6:50 pm local time, the Amcit
master of the ship, Vorus Sterling, was arrested (septel to
report more). Embassy officials have been in contact with the
GoS to confirm the potential arrest as well as the charges.
2. (C) After being escorted to port, Odyssey initially
refused Spanish officials permission to board the ship. GOS
officials eventually forcibly boarded the vessel. Media
reports indicate that there were representatives from various
local and international press agencies on board throughout
this process.
3. (C) The vessel's detention occurred at the same time EUR
Assistant Secretary Fried and the Charge were meeting with
the MFA's Director General for European and North American
Affairs, Jose "Pepe" Pons, on OSCE matters. In a pull-aside
following the meeting, Pons disclosed to the Charge that the
Odyssey vessel had just been detained and would be searched
at Algeciras. The Charge asked Pons to share any information
about Americans that might be on board as soon as possible.
The Charge reiterated prior requests that any American on
board be treated fairly and that should there be an Amcit
arrest, the Embassy be notified immediately so that it could
fulfill its consular obligations. Pons agreed to do so.
EconOff followed up with MFA's Deputy Director for North
American Affairs to repeat the request.
LLORENS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2017
TAGS: PBTS PHSA SCUL SP UK CA ECON
SUBJECT: SPAIN DETAINS ODYSSEY EXPLORER IN DISPUTED
INTERNATIONAL WATERS
REF: STATE 13877 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES HUGO LLORENS FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) The Bahamian-flagged Odyssey Explorer sailed out of
Gibraltar at 9:38 am local time the morning of October 16 and
was immediately approached by the Spanish Navy and the
Guardia Civil approximately 3.5 nautical miles south of
Gibraltar in disputed waters. The Spanish authorities
detained the vessel and forcibly escorted it to the port of
Algeciras where it remains docked. We have received
preliminary indications that at 6:50 pm local time, the Amcit
master of the ship, Vorus Sterling, was arrested (septel to
report more). Embassy officials have been in contact with the
GoS to confirm the potential arrest as well as the charges.
2. (C) After being escorted to port, Odyssey initially
refused Spanish officials permission to board the ship. GOS
officials eventually forcibly boarded the vessel. Media
reports indicate that there were representatives from various
local and international press agencies on board throughout
this process.
3. (C) The vessel's detention occurred at the same time EUR
Assistant Secretary Fried and the Charge were meeting with
the MFA's Director General for European and North American
Affairs, Jose "Pepe" Pons, on OSCE matters. In a pull-aside
following the meeting, Pons disclosed to the Charge that the
Odyssey vessel had just been detained and would be searched
at Algeciras. The Charge asked Pons to share any information
about Americans that might be on board as soon as possible.
The Charge reiterated prior requests that any American on
board be treated fairly and that should there be an Amcit
arrest, the Embassy be notified immediately so that it could
fulfill its consular obligations. Pons agreed to do so.
EconOff followed up with MFA's Deputy Director for North
American Affairs to repeat the request.
LLORENS