CYPRUS LIKLEY TO SUPPORT US PROPOSALS AT THE IMSO ASSEMBLY

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000745 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SE AND OES/OA (GO'BRIEN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECPS EWWT IMO KSCA PBTS PHSA PREL CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS LIKLEY TO SUPPORT US PROPOSALS AT THE IMSO ASSEMBLY IN MALTA REF: STATE 95054 (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel request, Post delivered on September 9 demarche on the upcoming Assembly of Parties Meeting for the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) in Valletta, Malta, from September 29 to October 3, 2008 to Nicholas Emiliou, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We also sent a copy to Makis Constantinides, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Works. ¶2. (SBU) In a follow-up conversation, Andreas Chrysostomou Legal Affairs Officer at the Department of Merchant Shipping informed us that his Department had recommended to the MFA supporting the USG-proposed amendments. The only possible concern the GOC might have was finding the "correct way of implementing this proposal." He added that the EU did not have a single, unified position on this issue. (Comment: This increases the chances that the GOC will adopt the Department of Merchant Shipping's proposal. End Comment.) ¶3. (SBU) Chrysostomou also noted that he was confident the MFA would adopt their recommendation. He added that he expected the MFA to respond to the Embassy in writing before the meeting in Valletta. Cyprus will be represented at the meeting by Giorgos A. Demetriades, Legal Affairs Officer, at the Department of Merchant Shipping. Post will report any further GOC reaction. URBANCIC