SOMALIA PIRACY: LETTER TO SC RELAYING USG ACTIONS

UNCLAS STATE 098072

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHSA PBTS EWWT XA XW
SUBJECT: SOMALIA PIRACY: LETTER TO SC RELAYING USG ACTIONS
TAKEN PER 1816


1. This is an action request see paragraph 2.


2. Operational paragraph 12 of UNSCR 1816 requests states
cooperating with the TFG inform the Security Council
within 3 months of the progress of actions undertaken in the
exercise of the authority provided in operational
paragraph 7 of that resolution. Department officials working
through the Interagency Maritime Security Working
Group drafted a letter for signature by a USUN Ambassador to
be delivered to the Security Council. USUN is
requested to preview the draft letter with the other four
members currently working with the TFG to combat piracy,
namely Canada, Denmark, France, and Spain, at least twenty
four hours before submitting the letter to the Security
Council President. USUN should note to piracy partners,
however, that the letter has been thoroughly vetted through
the interagency process and will not likely be altered. USUN
is instructed to deliver the letter to the Security Council
President no later than noon, Tuesday, September 16.


3. Begin letter

Excellency,

As you are aware, in paragraph 7 of resolution 1816 (2008),
the Security Council decided that, for a period of
six months from the date of that resolution, states
cooperating with the Transitional Federal Government of
Somalia (TFG) in the fight against piracy and armed robbery
at sea off the coast of Somalia may undertake
measures in accordance with the provisions of that paragraph.
In paragraph 12 of that resolution, the
Security Council requests states cooperating with the TFG to
inform the Security Council within 3 months of the
progress of actions undertaken in the exercise of the
authority provided in paragraph 7. In response to this
request, the United States of America is pleased to provide
the following information.

For many months the United States has been working with the
TFG and interested states on addressing the scourge of
piracy and armed robbery off the Somalia coast. After the
adoption of resolution 1816 in June, the United States
approached all UN member states with which we have diplomatic
relations to ask for their support in combating
this scourge. We stressed that assistance did not
necessarily have to focus on military assets, but could be
provided in other forms, such as providing disposition and
logistics assistance as described in paragraph 11 of the
resolution. At the same time, we have approached interested
states bilaterally and in connection with multilateral
institutions, such as the IMO, the EU and NATO on how best to
coordinate efforts to operationalize UNSCR 1816.
We have been very encouraged by the level of interest in
combating this problem.

In addition to these efforts to operationalize UNSCR 1816, on
August 22, following a rash of attacks by pirates near
Somalia, the Combined Maritime Forces in the Gulf of Aden
established a Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in
international waters off the Somali coast. The MSPA is
patrolled by three U.S. vessels as well as a British,
French, and Canadian ship tasked with conducting operations
off the coast of Somalia. The MSPA will act as a buffer
area between the Somali coast and shipping lanes off southern
Yemen. The task force has publicized the patrol area
and advises all marine traffic to stay north of the patrol
area when transiting the Gulf of Aden. This task force
will patrol this area while the international community
develops long-term solutions to prevent attacks. We are also
continuing to encourage flag states and those with
significant numbers of mariners, as well as those involved in
the
maritime industry, to redouble efforts in training related to
evasive techniques, crew member safety, etc.

We note that, in accordance with paragraph 7 of the
resolution, on September 1, 2008, the TFG provided advance
notification to the Secretary-General that the United States,
along with Canada, Denmark, France and Spain, are
cooperating with the TFG in the fight against piracy and
armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia.

In light of the ongoing international coordination and
efforts to implement resolution 1816, and the increasing
need effectively to do so, we anticipate the need for a
continuation of the conditions that presently enable
action against piracy as reflected in paragraph 7 of UNSCR

1816. These conditions were specified for a six month
period which will end on December 2, 2008.

We look forward to continuing our cooperation with all
interested parties to secure the safe passage of all
marine traffic off the coast of Somalia.

Respectfully,



(signed USUN Ambassador)

end letter
RICE