TIME FOR U.S. MOU WITH SEYCHELLES ON PIRATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000046 SIPDIS S/P FOR PHARRELL; L FOR JLANDSIDLE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2020 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPIR MARR PHSA EWWT PBTS SO SE SUBJECT: TIME FOR U.S. MOU WITH SEYCHELLES ON PIRATE TRANSFER/PROSECUTION REF: PORT LOUIS 00043 Classified By: CDA BARRIE WALKLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request for L; please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) The Seychelles government is pursuing an amendment to the Penal Code which will facilitate piracy prosecution (reftel). In addition, Seychelles is engaged in discussions with UN Working Group II regarding the possible establishment in the country of a "Regional Court for Piracy Prosecution." Also, Seychelles now has both an MOU with the UK and an exchange-of-letters with the European Union regarding pirate transfer/prosecution. Given these developments, Embassy believes it is now time to pursue a U.S./Seychelles MOU on pirate transfer/prosecution. ¶3. (C) We have discussed this matter informally with Jean-Paul Adam, Secretary of State at the Seychelles Presidency and close advisor to President Michel. Adam agrees that the time is now appropriate for the consideration of a U.S. MOU. ¶4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy is forwarding to L via e-mail attachment copies of the following documents: the UK/Seychelles MOU, the Seychelles exchange-of-letters with the EU, and a Seychelles MFA e-mail containing comments on a draft U.S. MOU. Embassy requests that L use these documents, as well as the Penal Code amendment contained in reftel, to draft a U.S./Seychelles MOU that can be presented to the government of Seychelles for consideration. WALKLEY