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Viewing cable 09PORTLOUIS243, SEYCHELLES ASSEMBLY RATIFIES SOFA UNANIMOUSLY ON FIRST

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09PORTLOUIS243 2009-08-03 12:23 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Port Louis
VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPL #0243 2151223
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 031223Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4677
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHAN/AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO 0843
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 3066
UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000243 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR PM/SNA, L/PM, AF/RSA, AF/E 
OSD FOR GENERAL COUNSEL 
ANTANANARIVO FOR DAO 
NAIROBI FOR KUSLO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR PREL MASS MOPS SE
SUBJECT: SEYCHELLES ASSEMBLY RATIFIES SOFA UNANIMOUSLY ON FIRST 
ATTEMPT 
 
REF: PORT LOUIS 235 
 
1. (SBU) On July 29, the Principal Secretary to the President of the 
Seychelles, Jean-Paul Adam, informed Charge d'Affaires Virginia 
Blaser that on the previous day, the Seychelles Legislative Assembly 
had unanimously ratified the proposed Status of Forces Agreement 
(SOFA). 
 
2. (U) Also on July 29, the local daily "The Seychelles NATION" 
reported that two Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) 
intervened on the motion to ratify the SOFA, Leader of Government 
Business Marie Louise Potter and opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan. 
 Potter tabled the motion, asking the Legislative Assembly to ratify 
the SOFA.  She said that "such an agreement represents a key 
component in our fight against piracy, which we never thought would 
come so close to us."  While Potter's presentation in the 
Legislative Assembly was mainly focused on the need to combat 
piracy, she also emphasized that the SOFA agreement is based on the 
"friendship, respect and historical cooperation that has always 
existed between Seychelles and the U.S." 
 
3. (U) Opposition leader Ramkalawan supported the motion, explaining 
that the opposition gave its assent because the SOFA "does not 
infringe upon the sovereignty" of Seychelles.  Ramkalawan added that 
Seychelles "must make the most of this agreement and ensure that we 
benefit to the maximum." 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
4. (SBU) The passing of the SOFA has a great deal to do with fear of 
piracy and subsequent desire for U.S. military assistance.  However, 
Post has worked to make passage as easy as possible.  Since late 
2007, EMBOFFS have lobbied the opposition in order to avoid any 
unnecessary delays when SOFA was brought to Parliament.  As recently 
as May 2009 CDA Blaser lobbied Ramkalawan in a private meeting. 
After Ramkalawan received the final SOFA text on 21 July, he 
contacted POLOFF several times seeking clarifications.  Using SOFA 
talking points provided by the interagency, POLOFF was able to 
alleviate Ramkalawan's concerns.  The SOFA's unanimous passage on 
the first attempt resulted in part from such efforts. 
 
BLASER