DEMARCHE: COUNTER-PIRACY COOPERATION WITH MAURITIUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000109 SIPDIS AF/RSA JUN BANDO, PM/PPA DAVID FORAN AND AF/E MARIA BEYZEROV E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2019 TAGS: EWWT MOPS PHSA PREL KJUS XW MP SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: COUNTER-PIRACY COOPERATION WITH MAURITIUS REF: A. STATE 34659 ¶B. BLASER/BEYZEROV EMAILS Classified By: CDA Virginia M. Blaser for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) On April 13, CDA met with Mauritian Foreign Minister (FM) Arvin Boolell to discuss ref A points regarding Mauritian willingness in the future to prosecute piracy suspects. In order to obtain a legal opinion of Mauritian laws on piracy, the FM said he would to send the technical points that same day to his legal staff. He also agreed to raise the issue informally in Cabinet. ¶2. (SBU) The FM opined that the GOM laws would make possible the prosecution of any pirates who either were caught in the Mauritian EEZ or who attacked a ship sailing under a Mauritian flag. He was less certain whether the laws would make it possible to hold trials in a case where there was no direct connection between the pirates and Mauritius. (Note: Post review of Mauritian local laws and international treaties to which Mauritius is a signatory indicate that the Government of Mauritius legally could conduct a hearing in either case. We presume the FM will receive this same assessment from his legal experts. End note.) ¶3. (SBU) When asked about Mauritius' political will to be involved in piracy hearings -- whether in cases with a nexus of nationality or not -- the FM replied that "the United States can count on Mauritius fulfilling all of its obligations under its international treaties." The FM also spoke of recent UN Security Council resolutions on the topic, noting that Mauritius remains committed to doing "its share" against piracy. He reiterated, however, that consideration of an official policy would need to be taken at the cabinet level and, eventually, through the Prime Minister. The FM agreed to a follow-up discussion on this point in the next two weeks. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Although his words were positive, the FM seemed to be unusually careful of his language, often hedging comments. Either the FM wasn't briefed by his staff about the nature of the meeting with CDA, or he was uncertain how much support the approach would get in the cabinet or the Prime Minister's office. Post considers the latter to be the most likely scenario. Nonetheless, given the political and legal complexities of the piracy issue, Post finds it reasonable for the FM to engage with his State Law Office for legal background and support. CDA provided a list of the current laws -- enacted or signed by the GOM -- which the GOM may wish to review in the legal assessment. Post will follow-up with the GOM, as agreed, in two weeks. END COMMENT. BLASER