Somalia Requests Anti-Pirate Assistance

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001393 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/F FRAZER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT EAID PREL MOPS SO US SUBJECT: Somalia Requests Anti-Pirate Assistance Ref: A) Nairobi 1127 B) Nairobi 1134 ¶1. (SBU) Under cover of Diplomatic Note ESR/1381/N/07 dated March 16, 2007, the Somali Embassy transmitted the following letter from Foreign Minister Hurreh to Ambassador Ranneberger: TFG MFA letterhead Quote. Ref: FA-IC/010097/07 Date: 14/03/2007 Mr. Michael E. Ranneberger Ambassador Embassy of the United States of America Nairobi, Kenya Subject: Hijackings by Pirates off the Somali Coast Dear Mr. Ambassador, At the outset, I feel privileged to express my deepest appreciation for your assistance and understanding to enable us to overcome the current challenges that we face. To continue facing these challenges, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) requests the assistance of the United States Government to interdict pirates hijacking commercial vessels off the Somali Coast. In this respect we like to make a particular reference to the recent [begin bold] hijacking of the UNWFP contracted vessel MV Rozen [end bold]. We appeal to the Government of the United States to use all means possible to free this vessel and its crews. Please accept, Mr. Ambassador, the expression of my highest consideration and esteem. [signature] Ismael Mohamoud Hurreh Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation End quote. ¶2. (U) Somali pirates hijacked the MV Rozen off the coast of Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland on February 25. The vessel, a Kenyan freighter under charter to WFP, had discharged its cargo of relief supplies and was returning to Mombassa when attacked. The crew of six Kenyans and six Sri Lankans remains in pirate hands on board the vessel off the Somali coast. Ranneberger