AUSTRALIA WILL SUPPORT US CANDIDACY AT IMO COUNCIL

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000899 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/TRA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC IMO EWWT PHSA AS SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA WILL SUPPORT US CANDIDACY AT IMO COUNCIL REF: STATE 98012 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Australia will support the U.S. candidate for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. GOA nominated a candidate under Category "C" membership and has requested U.S. support. GOA requests clarification on reftel paragraph 7. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Econoff delivered demarche to Jonas Rupp, International Legal Branch (Sea Law, Environment Law, and Antarctic Policy Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) on September 28. Rupp said that Australia will support the U.S. candidacy to the IMO Council under Category "A" membership. ¶3. (SBU) Rupp told Econoff that on September 8, 2009 the Australian Embassy in Washington delivered a third person note to the State Department. That note advised of the Australian candidacy under Category "C" and sought support from the U.S. for Australia's re-election for the 2010-2011 term. Post requests the Department confirm receipt of that note and guidance on U.S. support for the Australian candidacy. ¶4. (SBU) Rupp requested clarification on reftel paragraph 7, under Category "A," specifically the mention of Liberia posing a "serious threat to the U.S. seat." We assume that the mention refers to Liberia's new candidacy bringing added competition to all 10 current seat holders seeking re-election, rather than a deliberate campaign on the part of Liberia aimed against the U.S. seat specifically. We would welcome any further clarification from the Department. CLUNE