MAURITIUS AND PIRATE TRANSFERS/PROSECUTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000410 SIPDIS L FOR JENNIFER LANDSIDLE; S/P FOR PETER HARRELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV EWWT PHSA PBTS KPIR MARR MP SUBJECT: MAURITIUS AND PIRATE TRANSFERS/PROSECUTIONS REF: PORT LOUIS 404 Classified By: CDA Barrie Walkley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: To contribute to the international anti-piracy effort, Prime Minister Rangoolam seeks a formal "understanding" with UNODC which would authorize the transfer to Mauritius and prosecution in Mauritius courts of a number (unspecified) of suspected pirates seized by international forces in the Indian Ocean. Rangoolam has requested that the necessary documents be prepared for the January 8 cabinet meeting and then forwarded to UNODC, with the hope that an agreement might be reached by February 15. Kailash Ruhee, Rangoolam's Chief of Staff, believes that any Mauritius/UN agreement will meet U.S. needs regarding the transfer of pirates. Ruhee also advises against any attempt to secure a U.S./Mauritius bilateral MOU before the 2010 national elections. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) CDA Walkley met with Kailash Ruhee (Prime Minister Rangoolam's Chief of Staff/Senior Advisor) on December 16 to discuss the Mauritian government's latest thinking regarding the potential transfer and prosecution of suspected pirates seized in the Indian Ocean. Ruhee said that after the December 8 meeting with UNODC representative Alan Cole (reftel),Rangoolam decided that Mauritius needs to play a more active role in the international anti-piracy effort by accepting and prosecuting "a number" of suspected pirates captured in international waters (specific number not yet identified). ¶3. (C) According to Ruhee, Rangoolam seeks to initiate "an understanding" with UNODC which will authorize the transfer to Mauritius of some suspected pirates captured in the international anti-piracy effort, together with their prosecution in Mauritian courts and detention in Mauritian prisons. Ruhee believes that this agreement with the UN will satisfy U.S. needs regarding pirates caught by U.S. ships (as the U.S. is obviously part of the international anti-piracy effort). ¶4. (C) Rangoolam has instructed the Foreign Minister to draw up the necessary documents so that the matter can be approved at the next cabinet meeting (scheduled for January 8) and then forwarded to UNODC. Ruhee estimates everything can be in place by February 15. ¶5. (C). Rangoolam believes that a formal agreement (perhaps an exchange of letters) with the UN -- rather than a bilateral MOU with individual countries or with the EU -- will provide his government with political cover, making it palatable domestically. ¶6. (C) Ruhee stresses that these political considerations are paramount. National elections will be taking place before July 2010 and Rangoolam wishes to do nothing to jeopardize his party's chances. Ruhee judges that any US attempt to secure a bilateral MOU with Mauritius is a "no-go" before the 2010 elections, as it would provide the opposition an opportunity to hammer Rangoolam on an already emotionally-charged issue, offering charges such as: "His father gave away Diego Garcia and the Chagos, now the son is giving away Mauritian sovereignty." ¶7. (C) COMMENT: As Rangoolam's closest advisor, Kailash Ruhee is an excellent source regarding the Prime Minister's thinking. We believe Rangoolam is sincere in wishing to contribute to the international anti-piracy effort by seeking this pirate transfer/prosecution agreement with the UN. We recommend that any efforts to secure a U.S./Mauritius bilateral MOU wait at least until we see the shape of any Mauritius/UN "understanding" -- if not until after the 2010 general elections. END COMMENT WALKLEY