Cablegate: Maldives Feedback On East Africa South West Indian Ocean

VZCZCXYZ0014
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLM #1560 3231043
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191043Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7209
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0114
RUEHAN/AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO 0005
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 0028
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 0002
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 7525
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 0013
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 4131
RUEHTO/AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 0051
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0075
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1573
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0130
RUEHPL/AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS 0519
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 0062
RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA 0020
RUEHVT/AMEMBASSY VALLETTA 0032
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2456

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001560

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/INS, SCA/RA, AND AF/RSA JUN BANDO
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT MARR PREL MV
SUBJECT: MALDIVES FEEDBACK ON EAST AFRICA SOUTH WEST INDIAN OCEAN
MARITIME SECURITY CONFERENCE

REF: SECSTATE 145423

1. (U) Econoff thanked Maldives for their participation in the 2007
East Africa South West Indian Ocean Maritime Security (EASWIO)
Conference, and discussed reftel with Maldives Ministry of Transport
and Communication's Director of Ports and Maritime, Mohamed Latheef.
Latheef led the five-person Maldives delegation to the conference.
Latheef said that the Maldivian delegation found the conference
valuable, and that Maldives looks forward to participating in future
EASWIO meetings.

2. (SBU) Latheef responded to reftel para C queries as follows:

A. The most beneficial course of the conference was the
International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) facility audit.

B. Maldives' two priorities in regards to technical assistance in
maritime security and safety are to develop its human resources in
the area of maritime security, and to assist the organization of the
South Asia Regional Port Security Corporative (SARPSCO) Conference.
The Conference is expected to be held in Male' in 2008.
C. The greatest progress Maldives has made in strengthening its
maritime security is the implementation of the ISPS Code in
Maldives.
D. The next EASWIO meeting should be organized into technical
working groups.
E. The conference can be improved by inviting operational level
candidates instead of high-ranking officers.
BLAKE

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