VZCZCXRO0997
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHMV #1006/01 3431640
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081640Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0592
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MONROVIA 001006 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12598: N/A 
TAGS: MOPS PBTS PHSA PTER ECON LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: RECOMMENDATIONS ON COUNTER-PIRACY EFFORTS 
 
REF:  STATE 126055 
 
¶1.  The Commissioner of Liberia's Bureau of Maritime Affairs, Binyah 
Kesselly, stated the GOL position on piracy at the recent session of 
the International Maritime Organization.  He described the hijacking 
of the Liberian-registered SIRIUS STAR as part of "an international 
crisis of monumental proportions," condemned the attacks, and called 
for an urgent international solution.   His full remarks follow at 
paragraph 3.  He said the GOL has: 
 
-- engaged the IMO, U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Maritime 
Administration, the EU, UKMTO, IMB and other prominent stakeholders, 
while also working diplomatically to urge an international armed 
force to protect this critical shipping lane (Note:  Post is not 
aware of any GOL contact with the Department on this issue.  End 
note.); 
 
--  advised Owners, Masters and Agents that the situation in the 
region is complex and intricate, and long-term permanent solutions 
will require collective efforts, time and endurance; 
 
--  called on all States, and in particular flag, port and coastal 
States, States of the nationality of the victims and perpetrators of 
piracy and armed robbery, and other States with relevant 
jurisdiction under international law and national legislation, to 
cooperate in determining jurisdiction, and in the investigation, 
capture, prosecution and punishment of all persons responsible for 
acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, consistent 
with applicable international law, including international human 
rights law. 
 
¶2.  Liberia is beneficiary of the world's second-largest ship 
registry and the GOL is deeply concerned about the impact of growing 
piracy on the health of the maritime sector.  The Ministry of 
Finance reports that in Liberian fiscal year 2007-08 (beginning July 
1), the number of vessels registered increased 13%, to total 2,824 
ships, and the GOL received $19.04 million from the registry. 
(Note: The GOL's total 2007-08 budget was only $207 million.  End 
note.)  Since Liberia does not have a functioning Coast Guard or 
reliable judicial system, we do not anticipate that the GOL would be 
in a position to contribute to the detention or prosecution of 
pirates captured at sea. 
 
¶3.  Begin text of GOL statement at the IOM: 
 
STATEMENT BY LIBERIA AT THE 85th SESSION OF THE MARITIME SAFETY 
COMMITTEE (MSC) OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO) 
(WEDNESDAY, 26th NOVEMBER 2008 - FRIDAY, 5th DECEMBER 2008) 
 
Mr. Chairman, I am Binyah Kesselly, Commissioner of Maritime Affairs 
of the Republic of Liberia, speaking on behalf of the Liberian 
Delegation. 
 
Let me first of all, on behalf of the Liberian Government, commend 
the Secretary General of the IMO, Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos, for his 
untiring efforts and overall commitment to combat piracy and armed 
robbery off the Somali coast and in the Gulf of Aden.  My Government 
also extends its appreciation to the Secretary General of the United 
Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon and to the Security Council for responding 
to international demands to take action against pirates and armed 
robbers who pose a serious threat to international shipping, free 
trade and the preservation of life at sea. 
 
Mr. Chairman, the pirates and armed robbers are a menace to all and 
must be stopped.  They have become emboldened by their brazen acts, 
and incidents of piracy off the Somali coast have surged. 
 
A little less than two weeks ago, Somali pirates hijacked a Liberian 
registered vessel, the SIRIUS STAR, and its crew of 25 persons. 
 
The circumstances of the pirate attack and boarding of the vessel 
are as follows: 
 
On 15th November 2008, the SIRIUS STAR, fully laden with 
approximately 2.1 million barrels of crude oil bound for the United 
States, was attacked by 2 boats with four men each, and boarded 
initially by four armed individuals while steaming on a SSW course 
at approximately 520 NM along the coastal borders of Kenya and 
Tanzania in East Africa.  The subsequent incident report estimated 
the number of pirates to be around 10 armed persons. 
 
The first Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) alert message was 
transmitted by the vessel and was received by the Liberian Registry 
at 1:55GMT on 15 November 2008.  SSAS and Purple Finder information 
provided the vessel's position, speed, and course.  An updated 
report received from the vessel's operators, Vela International 
Marine Limited, indicated the vessel changed its course heading NNW 
towards Raas Cusbad, Somalia.  The vessel continued on this path, 
and stopped at the aforementioned position at a distance of 3.7 NM 
from the shore. The vessel anchored at this position. 
 
On 17th November 2008, the pirates threatened to blow up the vessel 
if anyone attempted to approach them.  There is no indication that 
 
MONROVIA 00001006  002 OF 002 
 
 
any of the crew was injured, and the crew remained inside the 
vessel's accommodation area. Presently, the vessel remains at 
anchor; there are no significant changes in the situation and the 
armed individuals continue to exercise control over the vessel and 
its crew. 
 
Mr. Chairman, as we are all aware, piracy and armed robbery against 
commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden and in international 
waters off the Somali Coast continue to increase dramatically and 
dangerously.  The pirates have been violent and have attacked and 
robbed vessels, and kidnapped crew along the Maritime Security 
Patrol Area.  In an effort to bring attention and resolution to the 
piracy crisis in the Gulf of Aden, the Liberian Government has 
engaged the IMO, U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Maritime 
Administration, the EU, UKMTO, IMB and other prominent stakeholders, 
while also working diplomatically to urge an international armed 
force to protect this critical shipping lane. 
 
Mr. Chairman, the Liberian Government has advised Owners, Masters 
and Agents that the situation in the region is complex and 
intricate, and long-term permanent solutions will require collective 
efforts, time and endurance. The Liberian Government has taken these 
actions in accordance with the provisions of Resolution 1816 (2008) 
adopted by the Security Council at its 5902nd meeting on 2nd June 
2008 and under Chapter VII of the Charter of the UN. 
 
Mr. Chairman, the attack and hijacking of the SIRIUS STAR should 
cause particular concern as it represents an alarming escalation of 
piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.  As noted, this incident 
occurred in international waters 520 NM east of the coastal borders 
of Kenya and Tanzania, more than twice the distances of any previous 
attacks.  It demonstrates the pirates' determination to expand their 
relentless prey on international shipping, in waters previously 
considered safe, so long as they are successful and remain 
unchallenged.  Only this week, yesterday to be precise, the 
international news media provided reports of yet another vessel 
being hijacked in the same region.  This time the vessel was a 
Yemeni cargo vessel with seven crew on board. 
 
Mr. Chairman, this issue is an international crisis of monumental 
proportions, affecting global trade, international shipping and the 
safety of seafarers of all nations.  Thus, it demands an urgent 
international solution.  Experience has shown that the pirates are 
targeting ships based on ease of hijacking, not the flag it flies, 
the nationality of its seafarers or whether it has a national naval 
force present in the region or not. 
 
Mr. Chairman, the Liberian Government strongly condemns the armed 
attacks against the SIRIUS STAR and the many similar attacks that 
appear to be linked to "organized professional criminals".  These 
actions place the lives of the crew at risk and threaten the safety 
of the merchant vessel.   The Liberian Government therefore calls on 
all States, and in particular flag, port and coastal States, States 
of the nationality of the victims and perpetrators of piracy and 
armed robbery, and other States with relevant jurisdiction under 
international law and national legislation, to cooperate in 
determining jurisdiction, and in the investigation, capture, 
prosecution and punishment of all persons responsible for acts of 
piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, consistent with 
applicable international law, including international human rights 
law. 
 
Mr. Chairman, the IMO was founded on the very basis of the Safety of 
Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the Protection of the Marine Environment. 
This current and continuing threat of piracy and armed robbery in 
the Gulf of Aden, threatens the very foundation of IMO, and thus 
demands the need for tougher, urgent proactive measures to suppress 
the pirates and protect innocent seafarers and passengers from armed 
and deadly attacks.  The Liberian Government believes that the time 
to act is now. We can no longer stand by and allow terrorists to 
continuously dictate the fate of our industry, tipping the balance 
of power in their favor with impunity. The very integrity of the IMO 
as a wholesome, functioning body stands at a crossroads right now, 
and we must put an end to these criminal activities, and restore 
safety, peace and tranquility to this vital shipping lane, and 
protect the seafarers and vessels that ply its waters. 
 
Thank you Mr. Chairman. 
 
End text. 
 
THOMAS-GREENFIELD