RUSSIAN RESPONSE TO SOMALI PIRACY REMAINS UNCERTAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 003051

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2018
TAGS: EWWT MOPS PREL PHSA XA SO UP RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN RESPONSE TO SOMALI PIRACY REMAINS UNCERTAIN

REF: MOSCOW 2907

Classified By: Acting DCM Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) Contradictory statements to the press by Russian naval
officials have further frustrated attempts to understand
Russian intentions to respond to the hijacking of the M/V
Faina or the larger issue of Somali piracy:


2. (U) ITAR-TASS reported on October 13 that a high-ranking
MOD official said that the Russian naval frigate RFS
Neustrashimyy, which reportedly left its Baltic port on
September 24, was expected to arrive off the Somali coast in
late October, where it would remain for several months to
ensure the safety of "only Russian ships" threatened by
pirates. The ship would not ensure the safety of the vessels
of other nations, even if there were Russian citizens
onboard. This meant that the Neustrashimyy would not engage
in an operation to free the crew of the Ukrainian-owned Faina.


3. (U) The MOD representative explained that upon its arrival
in the region, the Neustrashimyy would establish contact with
ships of Combined Task Force 150, which coordinates
counter-terrorism activities in the Indian Ocean. The
Russian frigate would exchange information with other ships
on the situation in the region, but would not "be involved in
any joint action with NATO vessels." According to the MOD
official, Somali authorities had given permission for the
Neustrashimyy "to act in Somalia's territorial waters," where
it could fire on suspected pirates that posed a threat to
Russian ships. The crew would only engage in anti-piracy
activities at sea and not on land. It was conceivable that
the Neustrashimyy would enter Somali ports to replenish food
and water supplies, but refueling would be done only by
Russian tankers dispatched to the region. Interfax reported
on October 14 that the Russian tanker Yelnya left its Baltic
port for Somalia with fuel and other supplies for the
Neustrashimyy. The tanker was expected to return from Somali
waters together with the frigate. The Russian press also
reported that the Neustrashimyy made a port call in Tripoli
on October 11 with other Russian naval vessels that were
cruising the Mediterranean.


4. (U) In contradiction of ITAR-TASS, on October 14, RIA
Novesti reported that an aide to the Russian naval commander
said that once the Neustrashimyy reached the coast of Somalia
it would "join in with actions by foreign naval vessels,
which are currently controlling and monitoring the situation"
regarding the Faina. The type of interaction, from
coordination to specific practical steps, had yet to be
determined.


5. (C) The MFA has told us on several occasions simply that
the GOR was "considering" a possible response to the Faina
hijacking, and could not provide any information on the
possibility of the Neustrashimyy becoming involved in
resolving the crisis (reftel). Repeated requests to discuss
the matter with the Russian MOD have been met with silence.
USDAO Moscow was informed that the MOD had contacted French
naval officials to discuss anti-piracy operations. The
French told the Russians that they would have to raise the
matter with Combined Task Force 150.
BEYRLE