Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MANAGUA868
2009-09-02 13:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Managua
Cable title:
NASA HYTHIRM PROJECT: NICARAGUA DENIES OVERFLIGHT CLEARANCE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHMU #0868 2451307 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 021307Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4518 RUEANAT/NASA WASHDC IMMEDIATE INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO IMMEDIATE 5939 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000868
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC AND INR/IAA
DEPT ALSO FOR OES/SAT - JACKSON
UNVIE FOR UN SPACE AFFAIRS OFFICER
SOUTHCOM FOR GEN FRASER AND POLAD
OES PLEASE PASS TO NASA - JUDY GROSS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPA TSPL PREL NU
SUBJECT: NASA HYTHIRM PROJECT: NICARAGUA DENIES OVERFLIGHT CLEARANCE
REF: SECSTATE 77073
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000868
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC AND INR/IAA
DEPT ALSO FOR OES/SAT - JACKSON
UNVIE FOR UN SPACE AFFAIRS OFFICER
SOUTHCOM FOR GEN FRASER AND POLAD
OES PLEASE PASS TO NASA - JUDY GROSS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPA TSPL PREL NU
SUBJECT: NASA HYTHIRM PROJECT: NICARAGUA DENIES OVERFLIGHT CLEARANCE
REF: SECSTATE 77073
1. (U) ON Thursday, August 27, we were informed by the Office of American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Relations (MINREX) that Nicaragua would not grant a flight or transit clearance for the U.S. Navy P3 operating in support of the upcoming DISCOVERY shuttle mission as sought per REFTEL.
2. (U) The American Affairs Director explained that the Nicaraguan Army had refused to concur with the clearance request for two reasons. First, the Army noted that there was a bilateral agreement in place governing blanket overflight clearance for P3 aircraft, but it was specific to counternarcotics (CN) operations. The Army argued that since this request was for a non-CN mission, the GON could not grant approval under that bilateral CN agreement. Second, the Army noted that the request was for a "military aircraft." The Army argued that under Article 92 of Nicaragua's Constitution, any foreign military craft, vessel or person could not enter or operate inside Nicaragua's territorial space without prior, express permission from the National Assembly (NA). The Army noted that this "military aircraft" did not have prior NA approval, therefore would not be authorized to enter Nicaraguan space.
3. (U) COMMENT. We find it disappointing that the Government has rejected this request for a NASA science mission. The Army has chosen to focus on the type of aircraft, rather than on the underlying reason for the mission. We note that the National Assembly is in session and could have been consulted or notified of this request. We also note that the 2009 bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) does contain language that permits "other military operational activities as mutually agreed"; however, the Army chose not to invoke this clause in this instance.
4. (U) COMMENT (CONT'D). We understand from NASA personnel that this is an ongoing mission and clearance likely will be required in the future. We request that Department suggest that NASA work with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to develop language specific to the P3 shuttle support flights that could be included in the annual roster of anticipated military activities that is sent by the Embassy's U.S. Military Group (MLGP) to the Nicaraguan Army each year, and is in turn sent by the Army to the National Assembly for approval each year.
CALLAHAN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC AND INR/IAA
DEPT ALSO FOR OES/SAT - JACKSON
UNVIE FOR UN SPACE AFFAIRS OFFICER
SOUTHCOM FOR GEN FRASER AND POLAD
OES PLEASE PASS TO NASA - JUDY GROSS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPA TSPL PREL NU
SUBJECT: NASA HYTHIRM PROJECT: NICARAGUA DENIES OVERFLIGHT CLEARANCE
REF: SECSTATE 77073
1. (U) ON Thursday, August 27, we were informed by the Office of American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Relations (MINREX) that Nicaragua would not grant a flight or transit clearance for the U.S. Navy P3 operating in support of the upcoming DISCOVERY shuttle mission as sought per REFTEL.
2. (U) The American Affairs Director explained that the Nicaraguan Army had refused to concur with the clearance request for two reasons. First, the Army noted that there was a bilateral agreement in place governing blanket overflight clearance for P3 aircraft, but it was specific to counternarcotics (CN) operations. The Army argued that since this request was for a non-CN mission, the GON could not grant approval under that bilateral CN agreement. Second, the Army noted that the request was for a "military aircraft." The Army argued that under Article 92 of Nicaragua's Constitution, any foreign military craft, vessel or person could not enter or operate inside Nicaragua's territorial space without prior, express permission from the National Assembly (NA). The Army noted that this "military aircraft" did not have prior NA approval, therefore would not be authorized to enter Nicaraguan space.
3. (U) COMMENT. We find it disappointing that the Government has rejected this request for a NASA science mission. The Army has chosen to focus on the type of aircraft, rather than on the underlying reason for the mission. We note that the National Assembly is in session and could have been consulted or notified of this request. We also note that the 2009 bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) does contain language that permits "other military operational activities as mutually agreed"; however, the Army chose not to invoke this clause in this instance.
4. (U) COMMENT (CONT'D). We understand from NASA personnel that this is an ongoing mission and clearance likely will be required in the future. We request that Department suggest that NASA work with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to develop language specific to the P3 shuttle support flights that could be included in the annual roster of anticipated military activities that is sent by the Embassy's U.S. Military Group (MLGP) to the Nicaraguan Army each year, and is in turn sent by the Army to the National Assembly for approval each year.
CALLAHAN