Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAKU315
2009-04-20 03:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:
AZERBAIJAN: SPOT REPORT - U/I HIGH SPEED BOATS
how-toVZCZCXRO3727 PP RUEHAG RUEHDBU RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHKB #0315 1100359 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 200359Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BAKU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1068 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0891 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1307
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000315
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P, EUR/CARC, EUR/RPM, S/CT - AVERILL ROBERTSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AJ TX PTER SNAR
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: SPOT REPORT - U/I HIGH SPEED BOATS
CLOSE TO BP PLATFORMS IN CASPIAN
Classified By: POLECON COUNSELOR ROBERT GARVERICK, REASONS 1.4 (B,D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000315
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P, EUR/CARC, EUR/RPM, S/CT - AVERILL ROBERTSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AJ TX PTER SNAR
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: SPOT REPORT - U/I HIGH SPEED BOATS
CLOSE TO BP PLATFORMS IN CASPIAN
Classified By: POLECON COUNSELOR ROBERT GARVERICK, REASONS 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) At 22:50 local time on 14 April 2009, the head of
the Off-Shore Production Unit Center for British Petroleum
(BP) called the DATT to report that two fast boats came
within one mile of their offshore platforms, tracking at
speeds in excess of 45 knots. The incident allegedly took
place 13 April at approximately 09:00 at the East Azeri
platform (ACG Complex).
2. (C) The boats reportedly had three Yamaha outboards and
had a cigarette profile, and were about six meters in length.
Once source said that it was a dark boat with no crew on
board, and another source said that the crew was disguised as
being dressed in camouflage gear and, by virtue of the
presence of nets, they may have been fishermen; the
registration of the boats was not ascertained, and no
photographs were taken BP Security launched their own craft
to pursue the boat, but, limited to speeds of 34 knots, they
were unable to intercept it. BP simultaneously notified
Azerbaijan,s Navy and Coast Guard.
3. (C) Given the camouflage dress and the high-speed nature
of the watercraft, BP officials suspected that the men might
be engaged in smuggling activities, but feared terrorist
activity. (Note: the South Caspian is a known area of
smuggling activity, with contraband, including narcotics,
moving in and out of Iran and Turkmenistan. Caspian Sea
delimitation is not established in the region as a whole, and
Azerbaijan,s Coast Guard and Navy have limited abilities to
patrol and protect offshore areas, including zones where oil
and gas exploration and development take place. End Note)
4. (C) BP called the Ministry of National Security (MNS),
and was subsequently told by law enforcement officials that
the perpetrators were merely illegal fishermen. BP Security
has also followed up with the Navy and Coast Guard, which
have stepped up patrols in the region.
DERSE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P, EUR/CARC, EUR/RPM, S/CT - AVERILL ROBERTSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL AJ TX PTER SNAR
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: SPOT REPORT - U/I HIGH SPEED BOATS
CLOSE TO BP PLATFORMS IN CASPIAN
Classified By: POLECON COUNSELOR ROBERT GARVERICK, REASONS 1.4 (B,D)
1. (C) At 22:50 local time on 14 April 2009, the head of
the Off-Shore Production Unit Center for British Petroleum
(BP) called the DATT to report that two fast boats came
within one mile of their offshore platforms, tracking at
speeds in excess of 45 knots. The incident allegedly took
place 13 April at approximately 09:00 at the East Azeri
platform (ACG Complex).
2. (C) The boats reportedly had three Yamaha outboards and
had a cigarette profile, and were about six meters in length.
Once source said that it was a dark boat with no crew on
board, and another source said that the crew was disguised as
being dressed in camouflage gear and, by virtue of the
presence of nets, they may have been fishermen; the
registration of the boats was not ascertained, and no
photographs were taken BP Security launched their own craft
to pursue the boat, but, limited to speeds of 34 knots, they
were unable to intercept it. BP simultaneously notified
Azerbaijan,s Navy and Coast Guard.
3. (C) Given the camouflage dress and the high-speed nature
of the watercraft, BP officials suspected that the men might
be engaged in smuggling activities, but feared terrorist
activity. (Note: the South Caspian is a known area of
smuggling activity, with contraband, including narcotics,
moving in and out of Iran and Turkmenistan. Caspian Sea
delimitation is not established in the region as a whole, and
Azerbaijan,s Coast Guard and Navy have limited abilities to
patrol and protect offshore areas, including zones where oil
and gas exploration and development take place. End Note)
4. (C) BP called the Ministry of National Security (MNS),
and was subsequently told by law enforcement officials that
the perpetrators were merely illegal fishermen. BP Security
has also followed up with the Navy and Coast Guard, which
have stepped up patrols in the region.
DERSE