Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CANBERRA679
2008-07-03 08:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:  

TORRES STRAIT PILOTAGE REGIME

Tags:  PREL SENV AS 
pdf how-to read a cable
P 030856Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9808
INFO AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 
AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 
AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 
AMCONSUL PERTH 
AMCONSUL SYDNEY 
CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000679 


NOFORN

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, L/OES
OSD FOR JESSICA MATTHEWS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2018
TAGS: PREL SENV AS
SUBJECT: TORRES STRAIT PILOTAGE REGIME

REF: STATE 53801

Classified By: Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000679


NOFORN

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, L/OES
OSD FOR JESSICA MATTHEWS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2018
TAGS: PREL SENV AS
SUBJECT: TORRES STRAIT PILOTAGE REGIME

REF: STATE 53801

Classified By: Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C/NF) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
International Legal Division Assistant Secretary Adam
McCarthy provided a document with a detailed response to U.S.
questions about about shipping transiting the Torres Strait
during a July 3 meeting with Econcouns (reftel). The
Australian document states there has been 100% compliance
with Australia's compulsory pilotage regime for the Torres
Strait since October 6, 2006. It also states that all 986
transits of the Torres Strait in 2007 by vessels greater than
70 meters in length had a pilot.


2. (SBU) McCarthy said the GOA looks forward to August 6 and
7 consultations in Washington on the Torres Strait issue. In
addition to McCarthy, the Australian delegation will consist
of Steven Bouwhuise, Assistant Secretary for International
Law at the Attorney General's Department and Gary Prosser,
the General Manager of the Australian Maritime Safety Agency
(AMSA). A representative from the Australian Department of
Defense (ADOD) will also join the delegation, according to
McCarthy, who said that the person would be from either the
ADOD Legal Department or the Royal Australian Navy's Legal
Department.


3. (C/NF) Australia recognizes that it has not handled the
Torres Strait pilotage issue particularly well, according to
McCarthy, who was quick to add that Australia believes the
U.S. could have handled the issue better, as well. He
emphasized that Australia understands that it must do a
better job of explaining its views to the United States as
well as listening to U.S. concerns. Highlighting his
experience working at the Australian Embassy in Washington,
McCarthy said he understands U.S. concerns on why the Torres
Strait regime might serve as a precedent in other areas. The
Australian goal for the consultations will be to lay out
Australia's analysis on the legal basis for the regime, why
it does not serve as a precedent and to explore ways to
address U.S. concerns within Australian political
constraints. Econcouns responded that Australia should not
expect to change our strongly held views on the Torres Strait
pilotage regime but that we welcome the opportunity to look
for ways forward.


4. (U) The document has been emailed to EAP/ANP and L/OES.

McCallum