SEYCHELLES: USG ASSISTANCE SOUGHT TO COMBAT SOMALI PIRATES'

UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000103

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

AF/E FOR MARIA BEYZEROV

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PBTS PHSA EWWT MARR MASS MOPS SO SE
SUBJECT: SEYCHELLES: USG ASSISTANCE SOUGHT TO COMBAT SOMALI PIRATES'
ATTACKS

REF: PORT LOUIS 101


1. (SBU) On April 6, Post received by fax a diplomatic note dated
April 2 from the Seychelles' Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
stating that the vessel "Indian Ocean Explorer" had been captured
with a crew of seven Seychellois nationals in Seychelles'
territorial waters, and was heading toward the Somali coast. The
note asked the USG to "intercept and thwart" this act of piracy. It
called attention to a similar incident, involving three Seychellois
nationals captured and detained by Somali pirates, mentioned in a
previous diplomatic note dated March 27.

COMMENT
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2. (SBU) As noted in reftel, Post stands ready to facilitate
discussions between the Government of Seychelles and the Department
on this issue. END COMMENT.

BLASER