PRESIDENT SUPPORTS COORDINATION CENTER ON PIRACY

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000209


FOR AF/E

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHSA PGOV KE SO
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT SUPPORTS COORDINATION CENTER ON PIRACY

REF: 2008 NAIROBI 2869



1. During the Ambassador's meeting with President Kibaki on
January 27, the President expressed strong interest in having
a coordination center established in Kenya as a "headquarters
unit" for the Contact Group on Somali Piracy (CGSP). Post
understands the concept of a coordination center was advanced
by the U.S. delegation informally at the initial meeting of
the Contract Group on Somali Piracy in New York in early
January, and that initial reactions from some regional states
have been positive.


2. Kenya's recent signing of MOUs on piracy with the UK and
U.S., its demonstrated willingness to take possession of,
prosecute, and punish captured pirates (the late-2008 and
still ongoing in the courts British case of eight suspected
pirates, Ref A; and, the 2006 case when the U.S. Navy handed
over ten pirates who were prosecuted, convicted, and
imprisoned),its strategic location, its initiatives to exert
leadership in the region on piracy, and the U.S. military's
strong liaison relationships with Kenya, all make Kenya a
logical choice for basing a CGSP multinational coordination
effort on counter-piracy.


3. The President shared his concerns about Somali piracy in
the presence of Foreign Minister Wetangula, who the President
has directed to make Somali piracy a higher priority issue.
The GOK recognizes fully the national interest at stake --
the economic costs are huge as pirates threaten its shipping
lanes and the viability of the port of Mombasa -- and it has
demonstrated the political will to engage actively on
counter-piracy efforts. Post supports the GOK's initiative
to play a greater role on Somali piracy, to include its
hosting a central coordination office.


RANNEBERGER