Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VALLETTA161
2008-04-22 13:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Valletta
Cable title:
MALTA: 2007 END USE MONITORING REPORT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHVT #0161 1131320 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 221320Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY VALLETTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1499
UNCLAS VALLETTA 000161
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: 2007 END USE MONITORING REPORT
REF: SECSTATE 40875
UNCLAS VALLETTA 000161
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: 2007 END USE MONITORING REPORT
REF: SECSTATE 40875
1. Re reftel, the two eighty-seven foot "Protector" class
patrol boats provided to the Armed Forces of Malta in
November 2002 and July 2004 continue to be the backbone of
the Maritime Squadron. To date, the boats have been kept in
top condition by well-trained crews and an extensive supply
of spare parts that came with the original FMS cases. Those
spare parts are now running low and it will now be incumbent
on the Government of Malta to properly fund the maintenance
of these boats. GOM is exploring the processes by which it
can do this including using national and grant FMF funds in a
blanket FMS case.
2. During the summer months, the "Protector" class patrol
boats are primarily used for illegal migrant search and
rescue missions as well as for illegal migrant patrols in the
waters between Malta and Libya. In the fall, winter and
spring, the boats are primarily used to combat illicit
activities in Maltese territorial waters. In 2006, one of
the boats was used in a Counternarcotics operation. While no
drugs were seized, the general consensus is that the
operation forced the smugglers to abandon the contraband at
sea before it could be delivered.
BORDONARO
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: 2007 END USE MONITORING REPORT
REF: SECSTATE 40875
1. Re reftel, the two eighty-seven foot "Protector" class
patrol boats provided to the Armed Forces of Malta in
November 2002 and July 2004 continue to be the backbone of
the Maritime Squadron. To date, the boats have been kept in
top condition by well-trained crews and an extensive supply
of spare parts that came with the original FMS cases. Those
spare parts are now running low and it will now be incumbent
on the Government of Malta to properly fund the maintenance
of these boats. GOM is exploring the processes by which it
can do this including using national and grant FMF funds in a
blanket FMS case.
2. During the summer months, the "Protector" class patrol
boats are primarily used for illegal migrant search and
rescue missions as well as for illegal migrant patrols in the
waters between Malta and Libya. In the fall, winter and
spring, the boats are primarily used to combat illicit
activities in Maltese territorial waters. In 2006, one of
the boats was used in a Counternarcotics operation. While no
drugs were seized, the general consensus is that the
operation forced the smugglers to abandon the contraband at
sea before it could be delivered.
BORDONARO