Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USNATO353
2009-08-18 14:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Mission USNATO
Cable title:
COUNTER-PIRACY: NATO BEGINS OPERATION OCEAN
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000353
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION AND JUSTICE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EWWT PHSA NATO MOPS MCAP SO XA
SUBJECT: COUNTER-PIRACY: NATO BEGINS OPERATION OCEAN
SHIELD: INCLUDES CAPACITY BUILDING
REF: USNATO 350
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000353
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION AND JUSTICE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EWWT PHSA NATO MOPS MCAP SO XA
SUBJECT: COUNTER-PIRACY: NATO BEGINS OPERATION OCEAN
SHIELD: INCLUDES CAPACITY BUILDING
REF: USNATO 350
1. (U) On August 17, NATO formally commenced Operation Ocean
Shield -- the Alliance's long-term contribution to
international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of
Africa. In a statement posted to its website, the Allied
Maritime Component Command Headquarters Northwood (MCC
Northwood) said that "while at-sea counter-piracy operations
will continue to be the focus, a new element of
regional-state counter-piracy capacity building has been
developed for Operation Ocean Shield." The statement went on
to note that "NATO's capacity building effort will aim to
assist regional states, upon their request, in developing
their own ability to combat piracy activities."
2. (SBU) COMMENT: In addition to the counter-piracy mission,
the Alliance has also recently agreed to strengthen its
relations with the African Union (AU),including increasing
NATO's support for efforts to build the AU's security
structures. As NATO engages Africa more through these
initiatives, we hope that USG players in the continent--such
as AFRICOM--will consider inviting NATO to observe or
participate in upcoming U.S.-led capacity building events,
such as exercises and planning conferences. NATO
participation in such events would give us a better insight
into how we can best leverage the Alliance's
capabilities/resources in pursuit of USG policy priorities in
Africa. END COMMENT
3. (U) The full text of the MCC Northwood statement follows:
BEGIN TEXT
17 August 09
NATO begins Operation Ocean Shield
Operation Ocean Shield, NATO's contribution to international
efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa, commenced to
today after the North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved the
mission. Operation Ocean Shield builds on the experience
gained during Operation Allied Protector, NATO's previous
counter-piracy mission, and develops a distinctive NATO role
based on the broad strength of the Alliance by adopting a
more comprehensive approach to counter-piracy efforts.
While at-sea counter-piracy operations will continue to be
the focus, a new element of regional-state counter-piracy
capacity building has been developed for Operation Ocean
Shield. NATO's capacity building effort will aim to assist
regional states, upon their request, in developing their own
ability to combat piracy activities. This element of the
operation is designed to complement existing international
efforts and will contribute to a lasting maritime security
USNATO 00000353 002 OF 002
solution off the Horn of Africa.
END TEXT
3. (U) Additional news about NATO counter-piracy efforts can
be found at the MCC Northwood website: www.manw.nato.int.
BYRNES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION AND JUSTICE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EWWT PHSA NATO MOPS MCAP SO XA
SUBJECT: COUNTER-PIRACY: NATO BEGINS OPERATION OCEAN
SHIELD: INCLUDES CAPACITY BUILDING
REF: USNATO 350
1. (U) On August 17, NATO formally commenced Operation Ocean
Shield -- the Alliance's long-term contribution to
international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of
Africa. In a statement posted to its website, the Allied
Maritime Component Command Headquarters Northwood (MCC
Northwood) said that "while at-sea counter-piracy operations
will continue to be the focus, a new element of
regional-state counter-piracy capacity building has been
developed for Operation Ocean Shield." The statement went on
to note that "NATO's capacity building effort will aim to
assist regional states, upon their request, in developing
their own ability to combat piracy activities."
2. (SBU) COMMENT: In addition to the counter-piracy mission,
the Alliance has also recently agreed to strengthen its
relations with the African Union (AU),including increasing
NATO's support for efforts to build the AU's security
structures. As NATO engages Africa more through these
initiatives, we hope that USG players in the continent--such
as AFRICOM--will consider inviting NATO to observe or
participate in upcoming U.S.-led capacity building events,
such as exercises and planning conferences. NATO
participation in such events would give us a better insight
into how we can best leverage the Alliance's
capabilities/resources in pursuit of USG policy priorities in
Africa. END COMMENT
3. (U) The full text of the MCC Northwood statement follows:
BEGIN TEXT
17 August 09
NATO begins Operation Ocean Shield
Operation Ocean Shield, NATO's contribution to international
efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa, commenced to
today after the North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved the
mission. Operation Ocean Shield builds on the experience
gained during Operation Allied Protector, NATO's previous
counter-piracy mission, and develops a distinctive NATO role
based on the broad strength of the Alliance by adopting a
more comprehensive approach to counter-piracy efforts.
While at-sea counter-piracy operations will continue to be
the focus, a new element of regional-state counter-piracy
capacity building has been developed for Operation Ocean
Shield. NATO's capacity building effort will aim to assist
regional states, upon their request, in developing their own
ability to combat piracy activities. This element of the
operation is designed to complement existing international
efforts and will contribute to a lasting maritime security
USNATO 00000353 002 OF 002
solution off the Horn of Africa.
END TEXT
3. (U) Additional news about NATO counter-piracy efforts can
be found at the MCC Northwood website: www.manw.nato.int.
BYRNES