SOMALIA: LETTER TO THE SECRETARIAT ON USG EFFORTS

UNCLAS STATE 011320 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM PHSA EWWT KCRM SO XA XW SUBJECT: SOMALIA: LETTER TO THE SECRETARIAT ON USG EFFORTS TO STEM SOMALIA PIRACY ¶1. USUN is instructed to deliver the following letter to the Department of Political Affairs in response to their inquiry of January 28 asking for additional information concerning USG anti-piracy activities off the coast of Somalia. The Department understands an earlier letter containing the communique issued by the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia has yet to be approved by USUN/FO. Once this is sent to the Security Council President and becomes a Security Council document, please fill in the corresponding document number in paragraph 4 of the below document. USUN should determine which principal is most appropriate to sign the letter. Begin letter: Dear Assistant Secretary General Menkerios: I have the honor to refer to your facsimile of January 28, 2008 (DPKO/ADII/2009/098) where you requested more information about Combined Task Force 151 and any additional information concerning anti-piracy activities the United States Government has conducted since September 16, 2008. The United States continues to be deeply concerned about the threat posed by acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia. We are committed to working with the Transitional Federal Government and the international community to counter the scourge of piracy off Somalia's coast. The United States has worked closely with our partners on the Security Council in unanimously adopting resolutions 1838, 1846, and 1851, all related to fighting piracy in Somalia and off its coast. Resolution 1851 encouraged all states and regional organizations fighting piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia to establish an international cooperation mechanism to act as a common point of contact. On January 15, in response to this call from the Security Council, the United States hosted the inaugural meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) in New York. The first meeting of the CGPCS was attended by 24 states and five international and regional organizations. The CGPCS issued a joint communiqu at the successful conclusion to the meeting that further explains the group and its objectives. This communiqu was distributed as a Security Council document on (SC document #). The United States has volunteered to chair the CGPCS' working group on strengthening shipping industries' self-awareness and other capabilities. On January 16, the United States and the Republic of Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will facilitate the prosecution and incarceration in Kenya of pirate suspects that have been interdicted by U.S. forces. The United States is extremely grateful to Kenya for its efforts to ensure suspected pirates are brought to justice, and is exploring the possibility of reaching similar arrangements with other states in the region. Operationally, the United States continues to act to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. On January 13, 2009, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) established Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. This task force was created specifically to deter and disrupt piracy off the Somali coast. CTF 151 continues to patrol the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) referred to in Ambassador Khalilzad's letter to the Security Council President of September 16. CTF 151 is currently comprised of U.S. and UK naval assets; and we have indications that several other international partners will provide naval assets upon gaining the national authority to do so. CTF 151 is prepared to coordinate and de-conflict coalition and international ships and aircraft in the region to deter and disrupt piracy. I hope this information is useful to you. We look forward to the Secretary General's report on ways to ensure the long-term security of international navigation off the coast of Somalia. Sincerely, Ambassador Rice/Wolff/DiCarlo End letter CLINTON