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