Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10PORTLOUIS20
2010-01-20 09:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Louis
Cable title:
MAURITIUS SOFA AND DIEGO GARCIA: ADDITIONAL REQUEST
VZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHPL #0020 0200918 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 200918Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4940 INFO RUEHAN/AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY 0875 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0381 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000020
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/SNA,PM/ISO,L/PM; LONDON FOR DAO AND POL:CPALMER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2025
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV MP SE
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS SOFA AND DIEGO GARCIA: ADDITIONAL REQUEST
REF: PORT LOUIS 0014
Classified By: CDA BARRIE WALKLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000020
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/SNA,PM/ISO,L/PM; LONDON FOR DAO AND POL:CPALMER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2025
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV MP SE
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS SOFA AND DIEGO GARCIA: ADDITIONAL REQUEST
REF: PORT LOUIS 0014
Classified By: CDA BARRIE WALKLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (U) This cable contains two action requests.
2. (U) As explained in reftel, Diego Garcia/Chagos is a
highly-emotional issue in Mauritius, with the GOM claiming
that the archipelago is an integral part of the territory of
Mauritius which "the British government illegally excised
from Mauritius prior to independence." Unfortunately, our
attempts to secure a SOFA with Mauritius have become
entangled in the Diego Garcia/Chagos issue.
3. (C) Reftel requests information on a U.S. - UK SOFA in
order that the Embassy might respond to a GOM diplomatic
note. Embassy awaits a State Department response to the
request.
4. (C) Embassy has an additional action request. In a
meeting with the CDA on January 19, Prime Minister Arvin
Boolell requested copies of "one or two SOFAS signed with
Middle Eastern countries." Other than the SOFA with Iraq
(which might not be appropriate in this case),are there US
SOFAs with Middle Eastern countries which are in the public
domain and which thus might be provided to the GOM? Many
SOFAs -- such as those with Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and UAE --
appear to be secret.
WALKLEY
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/SNA,PM/ISO,L/PM; LONDON FOR DAO AND POL:CPALMER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2025
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV MP SE
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS SOFA AND DIEGO GARCIA: ADDITIONAL REQUEST
REF: PORT LOUIS 0014
Classified By: CDA BARRIE WALKLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (U) This cable contains two action requests.
2. (U) As explained in reftel, Diego Garcia/Chagos is a
highly-emotional issue in Mauritius, with the GOM claiming
that the archipelago is an integral part of the territory of
Mauritius which "the British government illegally excised
from Mauritius prior to independence." Unfortunately, our
attempts to secure a SOFA with Mauritius have become
entangled in the Diego Garcia/Chagos issue.
3. (C) Reftel requests information on a U.S. - UK SOFA in
order that the Embassy might respond to a GOM diplomatic
note. Embassy awaits a State Department response to the
request.
4. (C) Embassy has an additional action request. In a
meeting with the CDA on January 19, Prime Minister Arvin
Boolell requested copies of "one or two SOFAS signed with
Middle Eastern countries." Other than the SOFA with Iraq
(which might not be appropriate in this case),are there US
SOFAs with Middle Eastern countries which are in the public
domain and which thus might be provided to the GOM? Many
SOFAs -- such as those with Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and UAE --
appear to be secret.
WALKLEY