PANAMA SEEKS USG SUPPORT FOR IMO COUNCIL SEAT

UNCLAS PANAMA 001669 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR STATE WHA/CEN - TELLO FOR STATE EEB/TRA FOR STATE IO/OIC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT IMO IO SUBJECT: PANAMA SEEKS USG SUPPORT FOR IMO COUNCIL SEAT REELECTION ¶1. (U) On October 10, 2007, Post received a diplomatic note from the GOP's Ministry of Foreign Relations requesting USG support for Panama's reelection to the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Member Council during the 25th Regular Session of the IMO Assembly to be held November 19-30, 2007. An unofficial translation of the GOP's diplomatic note is set forth below. Post requests instructions on responding to the GOP. ¶2. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION Republic of Panama Ministry of Foreign Relations Panama 4, Panama DGOCI DGCA 2068 The Ministry of Foreign Relations - General Directorate for International Conferences and Organizations - presents it compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to inform that the Government of the Republic of Panama has decided to present its candidacy for re-election as a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, category A, for the 2008-2009 period, at the elections that will be held during the 25th Regular Sessions of the Organization's Assembly. Aware of the importance of the instruments developed by the IMO in matters of security and protection, not only for human life but for the environment, Panama has established a series of priorities on which it has tailored efficiently its responsibilities, beginning with the goal of keeping itself as a more competitive country, the expansion of the ports on the Atlantic side (which will double our capacity to move TEUs) and on the Pacific side, the establishment of the Port Authority of Singapore (currently the No. 1 worldwide port for the movement of containers and transshipment) that will develop and operate a new container terminal. Panama has the world's largest fleet, making us the largest provider to the IMO's budget. Panama has ports of high efficiency, the world's second largest free zone, and the great responsibility of managing an inter-oceanic canal that facilitates maritime transportation, with the oldest open registry. Panama has started a series of initiatives in order to improve, modernize and adapt its responsibilities as a Flag State, a Port State Control and a Riparian State. Theses measures include the computerization and modernization of Merchant Marine and Seamen General Directorates, and the improvement and consolidation of all Panamanian maritime law. The Government of Panama gives a significant importance to this candidacy and assures that Panama's experience and work will promote the development of positive criteria that would benefit the International Maritime Organization's work. Taking into consideration the excellent relationship of friendship between our countries, the Republic of Panama requests the support of your illustrious country to our candidacy. The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Panama - General Directorate for International Conferences and Organizations - avails itself of this opportunity to reiterate to the Embassy of the United States that assurances of its highest consideration. To the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America City (Seal of the GOP Ministry of Foreign Relations) EATON