Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MANILA1014
2009-05-11 07:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Manila
Cable title:
Somali Pirates: Philippines thanks U.S. Navy
how-toVZCZCXRO0846 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHPB DE RUEHML #1014 1310723 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 110723Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY MANILA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4080 INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI//FPA//
UNCLAS MANILA 001014
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/EP/ EEB/IFD/OMA
STATE PASS EXIM, OPIC, AND USTR
STATE PASS USAID FOR AA/ANE, AA/EGAT, DAA/ANE
TREASURY FOR OASIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT ECON RP SO XW XE
SUBJECT: Somali Pirates: Philippines thanks U.S. Navy
REF: MANILA 00846
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLAS MANILA 001014
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/EP/ EEB/IFD/OMA
STATE PASS EXIM, OPIC, AND USTR
STATE PASS USAID FOR AA/ANE, AA/EGAT, DAA/ANE
TREASURY FOR OASIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT ECON RP SO XW XE
SUBJECT: Somali Pirates: Philippines thanks U.S. Navy
REF: MANILA 00846
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (SBU) In a letter dated April 29, 2009 the Philippine Secretary
for Transportation and Communications expressed gratitude for the
U.S. assistance to a Philippine ship that Somali pirates released on
April 21 (text in para 2). There are currently more than 80
Filipino seafarers held hostage by Somali pirates on board seven
vessels. The fate of the seafarers remains an issue of deep public
concern in the Philippines. In the instant case, soon after its
release, the Philippine ship ran out of fuel off the eastern coast
of Somalia. The United States Navy refueled the drifting ship,
provided food and water for the crew, and escorted it to safety.
2. (SBU) Begin text of the letter:
Dear Secretary LaHood,
It is my pleasure to have met personally this morning Ms. Susan
McDermott, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International
Affairs and the rest of the members of the American delegation on
the occasion of the Opening Day of the 6th APEC Transportation
Ministerial Meeting in Manila from 27-29 April 2009. I am happy to
see them here because the United States has been an important
partner in advancing the work of the transportation sector in the
APEC process.
I write to personally thank you and the American government for
providing naval escort through the US Navy Ship, "T193- WALTERS'
DEIHL" and her crew for the Philippine registered chemical tanker,
"MT STOLT STRENGTH" together with her 23 Filipino seafarers,
following her release from the hands of the Somali pirates on 21
April 2009. They were held in captivity for more than five (5)
months.
Aside from providing naval escort within Somali waters, US naval
ship "T193-WALTERS' DEIHL" also supplied "MT STOLT STRENGTH" with
diesel and food and water for the crew. I personally thank you for
all this great help and assistance.
As of 7:20 am today, MT STOLT STRENGTH" safely arrived in Salalah,
Oman. Her crew will take their flight back to the Philippines in a
few days.
Once again, thank you and I wish to reassure you and your Department
of our continuing cooperation on issues of common and mutual
interest.
(Signature)
End text of letter
Memmott
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/EP/ EEB/IFD/OMA
STATE PASS EXIM, OPIC, AND USTR
STATE PASS USAID FOR AA/ANE, AA/EGAT, DAA/ANE
TREASURY FOR OASIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT ECON RP SO XW XE
SUBJECT: Somali Pirates: Philippines thanks U.S. Navy
REF: MANILA 00846
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (SBU) In a letter dated April 29, 2009 the Philippine Secretary
for Transportation and Communications expressed gratitude for the
U.S. assistance to a Philippine ship that Somali pirates released on
April 21 (text in para 2). There are currently more than 80
Filipino seafarers held hostage by Somali pirates on board seven
vessels. The fate of the seafarers remains an issue of deep public
concern in the Philippines. In the instant case, soon after its
release, the Philippine ship ran out of fuel off the eastern coast
of Somalia. The United States Navy refueled the drifting ship,
provided food and water for the crew, and escorted it to safety.
2. (SBU) Begin text of the letter:
Dear Secretary LaHood,
It is my pleasure to have met personally this morning Ms. Susan
McDermott, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International
Affairs and the rest of the members of the American delegation on
the occasion of the Opening Day of the 6th APEC Transportation
Ministerial Meeting in Manila from 27-29 April 2009. I am happy to
see them here because the United States has been an important
partner in advancing the work of the transportation sector in the
APEC process.
I write to personally thank you and the American government for
providing naval escort through the US Navy Ship, "T193- WALTERS'
DEIHL" and her crew for the Philippine registered chemical tanker,
"MT STOLT STRENGTH" together with her 23 Filipino seafarers,
following her release from the hands of the Somali pirates on 21
April 2009. They were held in captivity for more than five (5)
months.
Aside from providing naval escort within Somali waters, US naval
ship "T193-WALTERS' DEIHL" also supplied "MT STOLT STRENGTH" with
diesel and food and water for the crew. I personally thank you for
all this great help and assistance.
As of 7:20 am today, MT STOLT STRENGTH" safely arrived in Salalah,
Oman. Her crew will take their flight back to the Philippines in a
few days.
Once again, thank you and I wish to reassure you and your Department
of our continuing cooperation on issues of common and mutual
interest.
(Signature)
End text of letter
Memmott