U.S State Department’s Request to Kenya Government During Faina Crisis
Viewing cable 08STATE103511, NOTIFICATION OF AFFECTED STATES: HIJACKING OF BELIZE-FLAGGED CARGO SHIP M/V FAINA, IMO NUMBER 9419377
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #3511 2710604 3511 2710604
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 270333Z SEP 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ZEN/AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN NIACT IMMEDIATE 2276-2279
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV NIACT IMMEDIATE 7881-7884 7881-7884
ZEN/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW NIACT IMMEDIATE 4778-4781 4778-4781
ZEN/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI NIACT IMMEDIATE 9314-9317 9314-9317
ZEN/AMEMBASSY RIGA NIACT IMMEDIATE 0612-0615
INFO ZEN/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA IMMEDIATE 5844-5847 5844-5847
ZEN/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI IMMEDIATE 4024-4027 4024-4027
ZEN/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM IMMEDIATE 6405-6408 6405-6408
ZEN/CNO WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
ZEN/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
ZEN/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
ZEN/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
ZEN/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
ZEN/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE 0745-0748
S E C R E T STATE 103511
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O PY (TEXT)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: EWWT MOPS PREL PHSA XA SO RS LG BH UP
SUBJECT: NOTIFICATION OF AFFECTED STATES: HIJACKING OF BELIZE-FLAGGED
CARGO SHIP M/V FAINA, IMO NUMBER 9419377 9419377
¶7. (S/Rel to Kenya) For Embassy Nairobi, please approach host-country officials to pursue the following objectives:
— Convey the United States’ sympathy and concern for the safety and well-being of the crew members on board the FAINA.
— Explain that the nature of the vessel’s cargo and its potential diversion by terrorists pose a grave threat to security in the region.
— Note that among the available options for preventing this scenario would be to disable and/or board the vessel.
— Ask for Kenya’s views with respect to possible United States military action to prevent the hijackers from delivering the FAINA’s cargo into Somalia. Such intervention could include disabling fire against the vessel or equipment being used to offload (“lighterage”) it, or boarding the vessel. Emphasize that we would only consider such actions as a last resort to prevent the cargo from being taken ashore by pirates or other malafides. If the pirates simply hold the vessel for ransom, as they have in the past, we would not intervene in this manner. Thus, we are consulting with Kenya now regarding the possible range of options open to us.
— Note, however, that the United States reserves the right to take urgent action if necessary.
— Inquire into host nation’s authorities, willingness, and ability to assist the U.S. in bringing the pirates aboard the FAINA to justice consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1816. Seek information on any conditions precedent or particular procedural requirements that would enable the host government to accept custody of, investigate, and prosecute any persons apprehended in conjunction with the piracyof the FAINA.
— Indicate that we will seek–but cannot guarantee–that these weapons will be resent on their original route to Kenya for onward delivery, if recovered.
BACKGROUND
———-
¶8. (S) The Belize-flagged roll on-roll off cargo ship FAINA was hijacked on September 25 while en route to Mombasa, Kenya and was last reported approximately 280 NM ENE of Mogadishu. FAINA departed Nikolayev, Ukraine on September 1. One Latvian, three Russian, and 17 Ukrainian crewmembers are on board.
¶9. (S) As part of a contract signed between Ukraine and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army in December 2006, the vessel is believed to be carrying the following cargo intended for transshipment to southern Sudan:
— 33 T-72 tanks, with spare parts
— 42 ZPU-4 rolling anti-aircraft guns
— 36 RPG-7v
— 6 BM-27 Self propelled multiple rocket launchers
— 13,000 125mm rounds of ammunition (T-72)
¶10. (C) The Department is deeply concerned that the armaments may fall into al-Shabaab’s hands if off-loaded from the vessel in Somalia.
¶11. (C) The USS Howard has been dispatched to intercept and take up a position from which to monitor the FAINA.
REPORTING DEADLINE
——————
¶12. (U) The Department greatly appreciates posts’ continued support and assistance. Department requests action addressees report results
Of efforts via front-channel cable by September 29 to AF/RSA Jun Bando, PM/ISO CAPT Jeff Frederick, and the appropriate regional bureau.
POINTS OF CONTACT
———-
¶13. (U) Please contact AF/RSA Jun Bando at (202) 647-5781 (202) 647-5781 or PM/ISO CAPT Jeff Frederick at at (202) 647-0886 (202) 647-0886 or via email for for any necessary further background information or supporting argumentation to meet demarche objectives.
RICE
About the Author
God bless Julian Assange and company .The world needs such menand women to expose heinous conspiracies from the so called Supperpowers and most Democratic Nations of this world Their other side is fully exposed to a plain nacked so that every Nations of the world can see the Big Brothers Nacked body.
Its probably exactly for the reason you yourself have expressed …. “It would be wonderful to believe that the decision to take Assange to court was motivated by a new-found, miraculous interest in seeking justice for rape victims. But the reason this case is being investigated so vigorously is surely that, on this occasion, and on this occasion alone, it serves the interests of certain governments to pursue a man who, entirely incidentally, happens to have embarrassed several imperialist powers hugely.” …… that has so galvanised support for Assange.
And reading what reports have been made available on the actions of the consenting adult players [and this one appears to be accurate in its consistency with others ….. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1336846/WikiLeaks-fo… ] does seem to justify the anger and confirm what you have shared.
And if so confirmed, it does render the British Justice System proven as an easily corruptible puppet service to foreign powers and right dodgy home interests, does it not, and makes an ass of the law. And as for the decision to refuse bail because of a flight risk, well ….. did you ever hear of anything so pathetic whenever his every move would have been watched and noted.
CAN THIS HAPPEN IN KENYA?14 December 2010 Last updated at 07:08 GMT Share this pageFacebookTwitter ShareEmail Print South Korea’s army chief resigns
Gen Hwang denies he bought property with advance knowledge building regulations would be eased Continue reading the main story
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The head of South Korea’s army, Gen Hwang Eui-don, has resigned.
Defence officials confirmed that Gen Hwang stepped down after reports in the press linked him to a financial scandal involving a property investment.
His resignation comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula after North Korea’s deadly shelling of a South Korean island last month.
South Korea’s defence minister resigned after criticism of his response to the attack, which killed four people.
Two marines and two civilians died in the shelling of Yeonpyeong island near the disputed Yellow Sea border on 23 November.
It was the first attack of its kind on South Korean civilians since the Korean War ended in a ceasefire in 1953.
The military has come under fierce public criticism for its perceived weak response to the attack.
‘Inappropriate’
Gen Hwang was promoted to the army’s chief of staff in June this year. His resignation is a further blow to the South’s military.
Allegations that he profited from changes to property regulations have been widely reported in South Korea.
“He judged it was inappropriate for him to stay on the post at a time when he has to lead the reform of the army,” Yonhap news agency quoted an unnamed ministry of defence official as saying.
Gen Hwang is suspected of buying a property in Seoul in 2002 with advance knowledge that building restrictions would soon be eased.
The general has denied the allegations, saying he had no knowledge of the impending changes.
The BBC’s Lucy Williamson in Seoul says a reshuffle of senior military staff is expected shortly.
Meanwhile South Korean live-fire military exercises entered a second day on Tuesday. North Korea has described them as a “provocation”.