Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PORTLOUIS218
2009-07-14 06:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Louis
Cable title:  

SEYCHELLES SEEKS GREATER US TIES IN CDA MEETING

Tags:  PHSA PBTS MARR MOPS EWWT SE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6498
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHPL #0218/01 1950606
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 140606Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4651
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHAN/AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO 0835
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 3062
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT LOUIS 000218 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, S/P, L
CJTF HOA FOR RADM KURTA AND DR. LIST
PLEASE PASS TO CDR MOUM USS ARLEIGH BURKE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2010
TAGS: PHSA PBTS MARR MOPS EWWT SE
SUBJECT: SEYCHELLES SEEKS GREATER US TIES IN CDA MEETING
WITH PRESIDENT

REF: A. PORT LOUIS 132

B. PORT LOUIS 137

C. PORT LOUIS 205

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Virginia M. Blaser for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d)

-------
SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT LOUIS 000218

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, S/P, L
CJTF HOA FOR RADM KURTA AND DR. LIST
PLEASE PASS TO CDR MOUM USS ARLEIGH BURKE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2010
TAGS: PHSA PBTS MARR MOPS EWWT SE
SUBJECT: SEYCHELLES SEEKS GREATER US TIES IN CDA MEETING
WITH PRESIDENT

REF: A. PORT LOUIS 132

B. PORT LOUIS 137

C. PORT LOUIS 205

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Virginia M. Blaser for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (SBU) Charge D'Affaires Virginia Blaser's June 30 courtesy
call on President James Michel celebrated the U.S. -
Seychelles bilateral relationship and addressed cooperative
efforts to combat piracy and secure the seas. Set against the
festive backdrop of the first July 4th celebration the
Embassy held in Seychelles in many years and a USDEL
including CJTF-HOA senior staff, RDML Anthony Kurta and Dr.
Kathleen List, as well as CDR Brian Moum of the USS Arleigh
Burke, the cordial discussion reflected a strong Government
of Seychelles desire for increased military assistance.

--------------
PRESIDENT EXPRESSES NEED TO CONCLUDE SOFA
--------------


2. (SBU) The June 30 meeting began with CDA congratulating
Michel on the return of the seven Seychellois hostages taken
by Somali pirates on April 1 while aboard the "Indian Ocean
Explorer," and expressing hope that the remaining three
Seychellois hostages in Somalia are returned. Michel
expressed satisfaction over the safe return of the seven
Seychellois, but assured CDA that the GOS is not satisfied
and will work, with allies, for the return of the remaining
three and to combat piracy in Indian Ocean waters. Michel
immediately turned to the proposed Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA),saying it will foster growth in the U.S. - Seychelles
bilateral relationship. When the CDA noted that a SOFA is
within reach, Michel responded emphatically that "we have to
make it happen."


3. (U) Michel praised the U.S. for its current contributions
to peace and security in the region, frequent naval ship
visits to Port Victoria, and resources and training it gives
to Seychelles' officials and citizens. RDML Kurta, in

response, thanked Michel for allowing our ships to visit and
taking care of visiting service members. He reaffirmed the
mutual benefit derived from joint training exercises such as
the ones conducted between the visiting Africa Partnership
Station (USS Arleigh Burke) and the Seychelles People Defense
Forces (SPDF). Agreeing with Michel, he concluded: "the SOFA
agreement is the key to a better bilateral relationship."

--------------
PIRACY PLANS AND COOPERATION
--------------


4. (C) CDA Blaser then asked for an update on piracy since
her last discussion with Michel. The weather created by the
Southeast Monsoon has decreased pirate activity in the
region, he replied, giving the GOS time to assess plans and
then move forward. Michel said this "eye of the storm" in no
way signaled an end to the long-term challenge of piracy. The
President's Principal Secretary John-Paul Adam concurred,
pointing to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) losing
ground in Somalia and conversations he had with the recently
released Seychellois hostages, in which they said that
pirates planned on moving further out from Somalia and even
deeper into Seychelles' territorial waters.


5. (C) Adam continued outlining why the approach must be
"long-term," centering on the effects piracy has on the
Seychelles' economy. Adam said that compared to last year,
revenue for the fishing sector was down a third, due to
piracy around Seychelles causing ships to leave for safer
waters in the Mozambique channel or closer to Mauritius. To
illustrate the multiple effects piracy has on a
maritime-based economy like Seychelles, Adam further
mentioned the loss of revenue in tourism by yachts choosing
other routes, lost fueling revenues, and an increase in the
unemployment of local stevedores.


PORT LOUIS 00000218 002 OF 002



6. (C) Michel said GOS planning for a potential resurgence in
piracy after the Southeast Monsoon depends heavily on
cooperation from friends. Adam elaborated that this
cooperation must be in capturing, prosecuting, and holding
the pirates. He specified that GOS seeks to work with
regional partners and international partners in the area,
such as ATALANTA forces. According to Adam, European partners
have not helped GOS nearly enough, especially when it comes
to assistance in the judicial process. Adam noted, however,
that EU naval forces have taken one positive step by agreeing
to move further south and help patrol northern Seychellois
waters and fishing grounds.


7. (C) Mauritius seems to be helping Seychelles push piracy
onto the agenda in international fora, such as the Indian
Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Common Market of Eastern and
Southern Africa (COMESA),Adam said. Mauritius engaged in
positive piracy discussions between Michel and Prime Minister
Ramgoolam during South African president Zuma's inauguration,
he added, but the scale of resources and expertise needed is
far beyond Seychelles and Mauritius.


8. (C) Adam noted that only minimal technical assistance had
been given by the EU in the current piracy trials. He said
members of ATALANTA forces were paying the costs of testimony
for crew members in the recent cases against the alleged
pirates, but need to do more to ensure due process is given
in court procedures and to provide resources to Seychelles to
hold pirates. Despite these challenges, he expressed
confidence that GOS would be able to successfully prosecute
most of the pirates under what he referred to as the "piracy
and hijacking" charter, while the remaining three of the 22
alleged pirates in custody will be charged with illegal
immigration.


9. (C) CDA gave CDR Moum an opportunity to highlight his
boarding officer course that will train over 30 members of
the SPDF. When he reaffirmed that we are at a pivotal moment
that could "fundamentally change our bilateral relationship,"
Michel responded that "in challenges lie opportunities." One
such opportunity, the CDA pointed out, is in the possibility
of Djibouti-based P-3 airplanes, the main aircraft being used
in anti-piracy efforts, landing and refueling in Seychelles
to broaden their coverage area. Adam strongly encouraging the
Seychelles as a place for turning P-3s, stating that
Seychelles' refueling options were among the best.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


10. (C) COMMENT: Seychelles has a long and positive history
of cooperation with the U.S. Many Seychellois fondly
remember the former U.S. tracking station based in
Seychelles, and frequently ask when the U.S. will return in a
more permanent capacity. This positive history coupled with
the direct threat piracy poses to the country's livelihood
has made the country's top officials, to include the
President, eager to cooperate with the USG in anti-piracy
efforts and increase U.S. presence in the region. The
President also appears to be seeking to capitalize on the
public's perception of the U.S as an ally who can provide
some expertise to aid GOS struggle against the impact of
piracy. Making this connection, in particular with a passage
of the long-awaited SOFA, would allow the President to show
his voting public that he can create stronger alliances that
directly help his people and his nations economy. END
COMMENT.
BLASER