DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ISPS AND PORT SECURITY ADVISORY

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001084 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT ETRD KHLS PTER ASEC MARR PREL ECON CG SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ISPS AND PORT SECURITY ADVISORY REF: STATE 125578 ¶1. (U) Econoff delivered reftel demarche to GDRC Ministry of Transportation and Communication Chief of Staff Enerst Ilang'ikwa Bonkanya on December 4. The Maritime Advisor to the Minister, the Urban Transportation Advisor to the Minister, and the Director of the National Transportation Organization (ONATRA) were also in attendance. As per the requirements of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, Econoff advised that a Port Security Advisory will be issued in 90 days. Bonkanya, new to his post since the October 2008 GDRC reshuffle, acknowledged each problem stated in the report and said the GDRC wants to be in compliance with all international laws and regulations. Bonkanya asked the Director of ONATRA to establish an action plan with fixed dates to address all of the remaining issues that are preventing the DRC from coming under ISPS compliance. The Director of ONATRA, who has already met with Coast Guard's ISPS liaison officer, indicated after the meeting that the Ministry will send a letter requesting the Coast Guard team re-visit to verify completion of required changes at the end of the 90-day period. GARVELINK