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O R 051320Z MAY 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO MARITIME SECURITY COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
INFO PAGE 02        STATE   045331  051339Z
HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//SCCG// 0000
HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ5-E//
HQ US PACOM HONOLULU HI//J45/J56CG//
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-EDC/ECJ5-M//
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
COMUSNAVCENT//N3/N5//
COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI//N35//
MARLO BAHRAIN
COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5342/CG-ACO-I// 0000
COMCOGARD MIO EUROPE ROTTERDAM NL
COMPACAREA COGARD ALAMEDA CA
COMLANTAREA COGARD PORTSMOUTH VA
COGARD AMR NEW YORK NY
COMCOGARD FEACT YOKOTA AB JA
COGARD MSO DET SN

UNCLAS STATE 045331 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PLEASE PASS TO DHS OR COAST GUARD LIASON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EWWT KHLS ASEC KOMC MARR PARM PREL PHSA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: ARMS/SECURITY TEAMS ABOARD MERCHANT 
VESSELS 
 
¶1. This is an action request.  Please see paragraphs two and five. 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶2. Posts in or responsible for the following countries/entities are 
requested to demarche host governments on their laws/restrictions 
regarding armed security teams/weapons: Sudan, Yemen, Djibouti, Oman, 
Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa.  Other posts, particularly 
in the Gulf of Aden/Horn of Africa/Indian Ocean region are also asked 
to reply and all others may too as information becomes available. 
NB: Embassies are requested to coordinate all responses for their 
host country.  Given number of host country agencies involved in the 
issue, nominated posts and those in the Gulf of Aden/Horn of 
Africa/Indian Ocean are asked to provide at least an initial response 
no later than May 12.  Additional information can be provided later. 
END SUMMARY 
 
---------- 
BACKGROUND 
---------- 
 
¶3. Under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code of 
the International Maritime Organization, the U.S. Coast Guard is 
responsible for setting standards for security of U.S. flag merchant 
vessels.  As a result of an increase in pirate and other criminal 
activities affecting shipping off the Horn of Africa in general, and 
the Maersk incident in particular, the Coast Guard is reviewing its 
guidance and requirements for U.S. flag vessels.  Some of the options 
under consideration would result in the carriage of weapons and 
ammunition aboard U.S. flag vessels. Given the nature of maritime 
transportation, the deployment of weapons and ammunition aboard U.S. 
flag vessels would affect operations not only in the Gulf of 
Aden/Horn of Africa, but potentially globally depending on vessel and 
cargo routing.  This issue is critical to Africa in particular, 
because most U.S. flag vessels are carrying humanitarian aid to the 
region and their ability to fend off piracy and other criminal acts 
directly affects their ability to continue this important mission. 
END BACKGROUND 
 
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DEMARCHE TEXT 
------------- 
 
¶4. The U.S. Government is contemplating additional security measures 
which may include deployment of weapons and ammunition aboard 
U.S.-flagged merchant vessels operating in high risk waters.  We 
recognize the need for U.S. flag merchant vessels and their crews to 
comply with host government laws when vessels arrive or depart 
foreign ports or when security teams for such vessels arrive or 
depart foreign airports. In order to determine what those laws may 
be, and share such information with U.S. industry interests, your 
response to the following questions would be appreciated: 
 
-- 1.  If a vessel were to employ an armed security team onboard to 
prevent pirate attacks, or if the crew were to have arms, would there 
be any restrictions or special procedures for a vessel entering or 
departing the port with weapons onboard? 
 
-- 2.  If a vessel armed security team or vessel crew members were to 
enter the country with weapons via air carrier or other transporation 
mode in order to board an outbound ship, would there be any 
restrictions or special procedures? 
 
-- 3.  Are the answers to questions (1) and (2) different if the 
security team is governmental or private?  What if the armed 
personnel are vessel crew members? 
 
-- 4. Do your answers to these questions vary on whether the 
government security team is military or civilian? 
 
-- 5. What about anyone (pirate suspects) detained by such crews or 
armed security teams in territorial waters?  What would national law 
dictate regarding disposition of said persons? 
 
-- 6. Which agencies within your government are responsible for such 
issues? 
 
If asked:  Why is the U.S. considering armed sercurity of U.S. flag 
vessels?  We recognize that in appropriate circumstances, armed 
security teams, operating in compliance with applicable coastal, port 
and flag state laws may be an effective deterrent to pirate attacks 
off the Horn of Africa. Additionally, some vessel operators and/or 
crews may wish to arm themselves for self protection. 
 
END DEMARCHE 
 
¶5. Please advise to whom demarche delivered and provide a post point 
of contact for this issue.  Coast Guard POC for this issue is Captain 
John Koeppen (John.F.Koeppen@uscg.mil).  State Departent contacts are 
Jeffrey Frederick (frederickjd@state.gov) and Doris R. Haywood 
(haywooddr@state.gov). 
CLINTON