Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09UNVIEVIENNA351
2009-07-23 09:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
UNVIE
Cable title:  

MORE SUPPORT NEEDED FOR UNODC ANTI-PIRACY ACTIVITIES

Tags:  PGOV KCRM EWWT UNODC UN AU UK TZ DJ YM SO KE SE 
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RULSJGA/COAST GUARD WASHDC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000351 

SIPDIS

IO for DAS COOK
London for Whittlesey

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCRM EWWT UNODC UN AU UK TZ DJ YM SO KE SE
SUBJECT: MORE SUPPORT NEEDED FOR UNODC ANTI-PIRACY ACTIVITIES

REF: 2008 UNVIE VIEN 0659, 2008 UNVIE VIEN 0666

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000351

SIPDIS

IO for DAS COOK
London for Whittlesey

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCRM EWWT UNODC UN AU UK TZ DJ YM SO KE SE
SUBJECT: MORE SUPPORT NEEDED FOR UNODC ANTI-PIRACY ACTIVITIES

REF: 2008 UNVIE VIEN 0659, 2008 UNVIE VIEN 0666


1. This is an action request. See paragraph 6.


2. At a July 22 meeting, UNODC Operations Division Director Francis
Maertens told Charge that UNODC seeks additional voluntary
contributions to expand its anti-piracy programs off the Somali
coast to additional countries in the region, and to extend UNODC's
existing programs in Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles beyond the next
18 months.


3. Charge learned from Maertens that the UNODC has received Euros
1.7 million from the European Commission (EC) to fund its
anti-piracy efforts in Kenya (e.g., building prosecution capacity),
Tanzania and the Seychelles. In addition, UNODC expects an
Australian donation of Aus$500,000, and has received some small
initial funding, totaling less than $200,000, from Germany and
France.


4. However, those contributions will be sufficient to cover UNODC's
anti-piracy programs in Africa for only 18 months. UNODC has
developed excellent relationship with the Kenya government, which
has been pressuring it constantly for support. UNODC hopes the EC
would be willing to provide longer-term funding, but has not
received any commitment beyond the 1.7 million Euros mentioned
above.


5. According to Mark Shaw, Chief of UNODC's Integrated Programming
Unit in Maertens' Division, UNODC's assistance is needed in other
countries in the region. For example, Shaw mentioned that the U.S.
Embassy in Yemen approached UNODC to inquire about possible
technical assistance related to prisons in Yemen. Shaw said that
the EC funds could only be used in Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles.
Furthermore, UNODC has developed justice/governance proposals for
Somaliland and Puntland, with a focus on piracy.


6. Action Requested: Mission seeks Washington clarification on the
status of previous proposal to use some pariah funds to contribute
to UNODC's anti-piracy activities. We note that UNODC Ed Antonio
Costa will travel to Kenya and Somalia beginning August 20, so a
U.S. decision would be well timed. End Action Requested.


7. Comment: UNODC has established itself as a useful player in
Kenya and the region and deserves our support to expand its
programs, possibly into other countries. Its current work is
complementary to current U.S. policy of supporting Kenya as it
assumes the burden of prosecuting pirates and at the same time
developing other alternative reliable venues for such prosecution.
End Comment.

Pyatt