DEMARCHE DELIVERED, SIERRA LEONE: GLOBAL MARITIME

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000258 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/TRA/OTP (HAYWOOD0, PM/ISO (FREDERICK) PLEASE PASS TO DOD/OSD (GRUBER) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID MARR MCAP PGOV SL SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED, SIERRA LEONE: GLOBAL MARITIME PARTNERSHIP REF: STATE 50488 ¶1. (U) On 27 May 2008, the Defense Attache met with Brigadier Nelson-Williams, Deputy Chief Defense Staff and Commander Mansaray, Commander, Maritime Wing, Ministry of Defense to discusss the Global Maritime Partnership Initiative. Relevant talking points were provided. Both respresentatives stated that they are extremely supportive of the initiative and looked forward to Sierra Leone's participation. -------------- ACHIEVEMENTS -------------- ¶2. (U) Since 2006, the Maritime Wing, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF),Ministry of Defense has greatly benefited from United State maritime assistance. United States maritime assistance has included the donation of three Dauntless Class Coast Guard Cutters under the Excess Property (EP) program; provisioning of an Automated Information System (AIS) by the Naval Forces in Europe Coast Security Initiatve; and mentoring and training on the Africa Partnership Ship (APS). A number of Mobile Training Team (MTT) trainings funded by the International Military and Education Training (IMET) program have included Small Boat Operations, Boarding Officer and Leadership and Management courses. The Coast Guard Cutters and training have been put to good use enhancing and improving Sierra Leone's ability to conduct coastal security patrols and greater domain awareness. ¶3. (U) In 2008, IMET training courses will include Boarding Officer Maritime Law Enforcement, Leadership and Management Train-the-Trainer, Hull Maintenance, Small Outbaord Motor Maintenace and Interdiction Operations Planning courses as the Maritime Wing expands into counter narco-trafficking enforcement. In 2008, the U.S. Embassy has seen the the Maritime Wing move from an extremely incapable maritime wing to one that has shown great ability at responding to several cases of piracy on the high seas and to emergencies and disasters. These include rescuing capsized fishing vessels and citizens from a sinking ferry. The Ministry of Defense states the country has already begun to see decreasing cases of piracy on the open seas thanks to U.S. assistance. -------------- WAY AHEAD -------------- ¶4. (U) In 2008 and 2009, the Maritime Wing, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces would like to continue their participation in the Africa Partnership Station (APS) especially in mentoring commanders and their junior officers and executive officers on their duties. They would also like to conduct joint training and exercises with the Maritime Wing of Guinea and the Maritime Wing of Liberia once it is established. Joint training and exercises would be focused on improving joint interoperability, and set standards and procedures for pursuing and interdicting illegal drug runners. Other areas could include joint training in martime law and maritime law enforcement. PERRY