BELIZE REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE ON M/V FAINA

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000438 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR WHA/CEN - ROIS BEAL AND DAVID WOLFE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT MOPS PREL PHSA BH SUBJECT: BELIZE REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE ON M/V FAINA REF: (A) STATE 103511, (B) BELMOPAN 423, (C) BELMOPAN 424 ¶1. (SBU) Post received an e-mail message from Oliver del Cid, Deputy Coordinator of the National Security Council of Belize on Monday October 13, 2008. The email includes correspondence from the Belizean ship registry office and from TOMEX, the ship's agent. The text of the forwarded messages is contained below. Poloff contacted Mr. del Cid on October 14, 2008, requesting clarification from the GOB whether these e-mails represented a formal government request for assistance. Post will report the response when received septel. -------------- ¶2. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT -------------- Dear Mr. Del Cid: In an email dated 7th October (attached),the Ship Operators informed IMMARBE that hijackers have declared that the FAINA will be grounded to shore in the event their demands are not met. We would like to convey our concerns to your Ministry to ensure that the necessary tactics are implemented to obstruct/prevent the grounding of the FAINA. Again, we reiterrate [sic] our appeal for your intervention to request from those involved in the International Rescue Operation to arrange for the delivery of food and supplies for the crew as current supplies will soon be depleted. With kind regards, Annette Garel- Deputy Registrar IMMARBE- Belize INTERNATIONAL MERCHANT MARINE REGISTRY OF BELIZE Marina Towers, Suite 204, Newtown Barracks Belize City, Belize tel:501-223-5026/223-5031 fax:501-223-5070/223-5048 -------------- END TEXT -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT OF ATTACHMENT -------------- 07 October, 2008 10:20AM TO: IMMARBE FROM: TOMEX Dear Sirs, Today at 1730 LT, we have got phone conversation with Master of the vessel and he informed us about the following: ¶1. All crew are healthy. ¶2. Fresh water ROB 2-3 MT and at present moment it used only for drinking and preparing of food. For sanitary needs crew use sea water. ¶3. Provision ROB is about for 1 week. ¶4. MDO will finish completely around Saturday 11.10.08. With the reference to the last conversation of the Master with the head of hijackers (Mokhamed) he declared that in case of refusing further negotiations about release the ship she will be grounded to the shore. Obviously they understand that when MDO will finish there will be unable to start main engine. We will keep you informed about developments. Best regards, Tomex As managers and agents of the owners only -------------- END TEXT OF ATTACHMENT -------------- DIETER