MAURITIUS: GENERAL WARD/U.S. AFRICA COMMAND VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PORT LOUIS 000265

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/E MBEYZEROV; AF MBITTRICK; L/LEI JLANDSIDLE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2019
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL MASS MP
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS: GENERAL WARD/U.S. AFRICA COMMAND VISIT
17-18 AUGUST STRENGTHENS TIES

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CDA Virginia Blaser for reasons 1.4 (b, d)
.


1. (C) SUMMARY: General William Ward, Commander, United
States Africa Command, visited Mauritius from 17 to 18 August

2009. During his visit to Mauritius, he met with Prime
Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Arvin Boolell, and Police Commissioner Dhun Iswar Rampersad.
The common themes of each meeting were piracy, terrorism,
smuggling, and the proposed bilateral Status of Forces
Agreement (SOFA). The visit marked the highest-level U.S.
Military visit to Mauritius in recent memory and reaffirmed
both the continuing security cooperation between the U.S. and
Mauritius and the continuing U.S. interest in the region.
General Ward also stressed the importance of a SOFA, while
the Mauritians stressed their willingness to work long-term
with the U.S. on the issue. Mauritian officials also raised
their sovereignty claim over the Chagos Islands. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) General William "Kip" Ward, Commander, United States
Africa Command visited Mauritius from 17 to 18 August 2009,
in the highest-level U.S. Military visit to Mauritius in
recent memory. During his visit to Mauritius, he met with
Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Minister of Foreign
Affairs Arvin Boolell, and Police Commissioner Dhun Iswar
Rampersad.

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Call on Police Commissioner, Coast Guard
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3. (SBU) General Ward, Charge Blaser, and accompanying staff
members met with Police Commissioner Dhun Iswar Rampersad.
Other attendees were Commandant Vishal Singh Kanwar of the
National Coast Guard, COL Khemraj Seervansingh of the Special
Mobile Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police Tangavel
Seerungun, Assistant Commissioner of Police Nalan Vuddamally
and Wing Commander Shashank Misra of the Mauritius Helicopter
Squad. General Ward reviewed an honor guard before the
meeting began.

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Police Concerns: Piracy, Terrorism
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4. (C) During the meeting, Commissioner Rampersad announced
the recent creation of a Commando Unit. Coast Guard
Commandant Seervansingh thanked General Ward for the joint
exercises conducted with the USS Arleigh Burke during its
recent visit to Port Louis. He then emphasized increasing
Mauritian concern over the incidents of piracy in the Indian
Ocean and predicted that they would continue to migrate
south, remarking, "We are not immune to these developments."
He also voiced concern that "what happened in Mumbai could
happen here." Commandant Seervansingh asked for special
equipment to help combat terrorists and pirates who may
threaten Mauritius and referred to a previous equipment
request. Wing Commander Misra said that Mauritius is
training 47 police peacekeepers who will be capable of being
deployed as a unit to help the United Nations or African
Union as called upon, but said they need help from the United
States to train. General Ward highlighted the importance of
the proposed bilateral SOFA to ma
ke it easier to send trainers and ships to Mauritius. He
emphasized, "we want to help you do your job more
effectively" as" vast seas are no longer barriers" that
protect nations from global threats. GEN Ward the United
States looks to partner with nations willing to accept their
share of responsibility in these common endeavors. When
nations acknowledge their responsibilities and "step up," it
helps us to prioritize resources to help, he said, noting the
USG can't do it by ourselves.

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PM: Piracy, Terrorism, Diego Garcia
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5. (C) Following the meeting with the police commissioner,
General Ward, Charge Blaser, and staff members met with Prime
Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam. Originally scheduled for
only 30 minutes, the Prime Minister clearly enjoyed the
discussions and drew the meeting out for over an hour.
Present with the Prime Minister was his advisor and Chief of
Staff Kailash Ruhee. The Prime Minister began by voicing
concern over the threat of piracy and the rising cost of
maritime insurance and its negative impact upon local prices.
Ramgoolam then brought up the U.S. military base in Diego

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Garcia, saying he had recently spoken with Prime Minister
Gordon Brown who told him that it was "up to the Americans"
to decide what they want to do with the Chagos Archipelago.
Ramgoolam stated that if Mauritian sovereignty over the
archipelago was recognized by the U.S., Mauritius would
"immediately offer it right back to the U.S. with a 100-year
lease." The Charge and General Ward noted that the U.S.
recognizes UK sovereignty o
ver the Archipelago, and encouraged the GOM to continue to
address concerns to the British.

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Gen. Ward: Prosecute Pirates, Please
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6. (C) General Ward noted that all nations have opportunities
to contribute in some way to global security. Each
contribution is important and follows from the unique
abilities and capacities of each nation. He asked what
Mauritius plans to do with pirates that are apprehended
within its territorial waters. He said Mauritius has the
professional capacity and the solid legal processes needed to
prosecute pirates, noting that pirates will become bolder as
the summer season advances. Pirates will always find their
operational space, he said, and if that space is denied them
in other waters, they will move to fill any space that is
left untended. He urged Mauritius to "do its part," to "step
up and become a global partner." He emphasized, "when
countries participate, it helps us to prioritize and to
justify the use of limited resources to Congress, and leads
to other things such as assistance."

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Gen. Ward: Don't Sit on That SOFA
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7. (C) Next, General Ward turned to the proposed bilateral
SOFA between the United States and Mauritius. He stressed
the point that "assistance is enhanced by a SOFA." He stated
that he must personally approve all visits by military
personnel to countries without a SOFA and that those requests
always come with some degree of risk; risk not present when a
SOFA is in place. "If we make progress on a SOFA, it will be
a plus factor in other issues." Ramgoolam agreed that
Mauritius wants to do its part, and strongly appreciates the
assistance that has been provided so far in terms of joint
training (such as in the visit by the Arleigh Burke),
individual training, and the promise of the Defender boat.
(NOTE: The Defender boat is scheduled for delivery within the
next few months. END NOTE.) The PM affirmed his support for
a completed SOFA. He also noted that during his first
administration, he was the person who intervened to change
the Mauritian policy of demanding a declaration of the
presence of nuclear w
eapons on U.S. ships before they could visit (NOTE: Ramgoolam
was first Prime Minister from 1995 to 2000. END NOTE.)
Charge Blaser noted that Mauritius and the U.S. could resolve
any specific issues during dialogue over a SOFA.

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Request: Disaster Management Assistance
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8. (C) During the same meeting, the Prime Minister's Chief of
Staff Ruhee asked if Africa Command can assist Mauritius with
disaster management training. General Ward responded that
his command is conducting major humanitarian relief exercises
in October and noted that observer positions were available
for the exercise. The U.S. delegation agreed to pass any
information on these exercises to the Chief of Staff. The
Prime Minister ended with his concern over H1N1 in Mauritius.
General Ward answered the concern by stating that pandemics
in general are an issue that must be addressed together, as
"oceans don't separate us anymore."

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FM: Relationship, SOFA Restrictions
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9. (SBU) The following meeting was with Minister of Foreign
Affairs Arvin Boolell. Also attending from the Mauritian
side were Chief of Protocol Ay Yao Lam Chiou Yee, and
Minister-Counselor Deepak Gokulsing, Head of Bilateral
Directorate II (which covers Europe and the U.S.). The
Minister opened the meeting with an acknowledgement that our
"relationship is gaining momentum." The recent agreement to
open Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) negotiations has

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"placed Mauritius on the map. We look forward to as much
investment as possible by the U.S.," Boolell said. He noted
that he had read the proposed SOFA and that he was receptive
to "many" of the proposals. Visiting naval vessels, however,
must be "subject to certain standards." Boolell underscored
that while was receptive to the idea of a SOFA, any agreement
must ensure Mauritian interests are safeguarded. General
Ward stressed that "we respect the sovereignty of Mauritius,"
and such agreements do not threaten a nation's sovereignty.
We only go where w
e are invited and are welcome, the General clarified. GEN
Ward cited the recent visit of the Arleigh Burke and the
joint training that was conducted as an example of how
Mauritians must first agree to the training before US
personnel enter Mauritius.

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FM: Advice Noted, Let's Keep Talking
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10. (C) Minister Boolell answered the General by saying that
his "words encourage us to continue the dialogue process."
"You have helped answer our concerns of sovereignty. We will
also continue our dialogue with our British friends. We must
be mindful of pitfalls and dangers of current events in the
region. With the end of the Cold War, some 'ugly heads' are
becoming visible: terrorism, piracy, insecurity in the
region." Boolell cited illegal fishing and toxic waste as
well, and the impact of the security problems on prices and
tourism. Boolell said he appreciates the United States
waging war on these "scourges." He asked General Ward to
please convey his thanks to the Secretary of State and to the
President for their assistance.


11. (C)Turning to the security relationship, Boolell stressed
that Mauritians are "practical," and "don't want to send any
wrong signal." With "firm guarantees" and "subject to
advice," the U.S. Navy is welcome to Mauritian ports. While
dialogue is welcome, "we have a responsibility to speak our
mind." In reference to the SOFA, the MFA reps declared they
had "sought advice and advice has been tendered," but also
"we will take another look and seek advice again." Besides
the issues of security and piracy, the Mauritian government
has the moral and legal obligation to fight for its
territory, the Minister noted.

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FM Will Discuss Piracy Prosecution MOU
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12. (C) General Ward expressed his appreciation of the
Minister's comments, noted the linkage of all nations, and
praised the partnership between the two nations. He asked
what would happen to pirates apprehended inside Mauritius'
economic exclusion zone (EEZ). In light of an anticipated
increase in pirate activity, Charge Blaser proposed a later
meeting to discuss possible piracy prosecution cooperation
via Digital Video Conferencing (DVC). The issue should be
discussed before the event occurs, she stated. The Foreign
minister agreed. (NOTE: The subject DVC occurred on 1
September between L/LEI and half a dozen Mauritian
stakeholders. A follow on DVC is set for 17 September. END
NOTE.)

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Comment
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13. (C) Positive press coverage reflected the success of
General Ward's visit. Mauritius' senior leadership clearly
feels the pressure from regional and national security
threats such as terrorism, piracy, smuggling, and a possible
influenza pandemic, in the context of a fragile global
financial and economic situation. The reception given to
General Ward's message shows the continuing interest in a
strong bilateral relationship. The visit provided some new
opportunities to reinforce existing cooperation, as well as
to dispel unfounded concerns. That said, nervousness over a
SOFA runs deep here, and issues surrounding Diego Garcia
create a backdrop to all major security discussions, and
could affect the political viability of a SOFA or even talks
regarding anti-piracy cooperation. END COMMENT.
BLASER