Somalia--Kenya Requests Anti-Pirate Assistance

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001407 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--Kenya Requests Anti-Pirate Assistance Ref: A) Nairobi 1393 B) Nairobi 1134 C) Nairobi 1127 (SBU) The Embassy received on March 29 Kenyan Diplomatic Note MFA.231/21/001A dated March 27, 2007, marked "URGENT", regarding Kenyan vessel MV Rozen captured by Somali pirates on February 25. Text follows: Quote. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to inform that the continued uncertainty regarding the 6 Kenyan and 6 Sri Lankan crew aboard the UN chartered Kenyan cargo ship, MV Rozen, captured on 25th February 2007 off the Somali waters is causing a lot of concern. The Transitional Federal Government has been approached to use all available means to intervene in the issue. Meanwhile the Motaku Shipping Company, which owns the ship, has been trying to negotiate for the release of the ship and crew. The capture of four of the pirates on 27th February 2007 while trying to replenish their supplies by the government of the semi- autonomous region of Puntland makes it imperative that something has to be done to ensure safety and release of the crew as well the ship. The Ministry in this regard wishes to request for the assistance of the United States of America to deploy all available resources at its disposal to ensure quick resolution of this matter. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. End quote. Ranneberger