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Viewing cable 09MANILA1014, Somali Pirates: Philippines thanks U.S. Navy

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09MANILA1014 2009-05-11 07:23 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Manila
VZCZCXRO0846
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHPB
DE RUEHML #1014 1310723
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 110723Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4080
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI//FPA//
UNCLAS MANILA 001014 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/EP/ EEB/IFD/OMA 
STATE PASS EXIM, OPIC, AND USTR 
STATE PASS USAID FOR AA/ANE, AA/EGAT, DAA/ANE 
TREASURY FOR OASIA 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EWWT ECON RP SO XW XE
SUBJECT:  Somali Pirates: Philippines thanks U.S. Navy 
 
REF: MANILA 00846 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
 
1. (SBU) In a letter dated April 29, 2009 the Philippine Secretary 
for Transportation and Communications expressed gratitude for the 
U.S. assistance to a Philippine ship that Somali pirates released on 
April 21 (text in para 2).  There are currently more than 80 
Filipino seafarers held hostage by Somali pirates on board seven 
vessels.  The fate of the seafarers remains an issue of deep public 
concern in the Philippines.  In the instant case, soon after its 
release, the Philippine ship ran out of fuel off the eastern coast 
of Somalia.  The United States Navy refueled the drifting ship, 
provided food and water for the crew, and escorted it to safety. 
 
 
2. (SBU) Begin text of the letter: 
 
Dear Secretary LaHood, 
 
It is my pleasure to have met personally this morning Ms. Susan 
McDermott, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International 
Affairs and the rest of the members of the American delegation on 
the occasion of the Opening Day of the 6th APEC Transportation 
Ministerial Meeting in Manila from 27-29 April 2009.  I am happy to 
see them here because the United States has been an important 
partner in advancing the work of the transportation sector in the 
APEC process. 
 
I write to personally thank you and the American government for 
providing naval escort through the US Navy Ship, "T193- WALTERS' 
DEIHL" and her crew for the Philippine registered chemical tanker, 
"MT STOLT STRENGTH" together with her 23 Filipino seafarers, 
following her release from the hands of the Somali pirates on 21 
April 2009.  They were held in captivity for more than five (5) 
months. 
 
Aside from providing naval escort within Somali waters, US naval 
ship "T193-WALTERS' DEIHL" also supplied "MT STOLT STRENGTH" with 
diesel and food and water for the crew.  I personally thank you for 
all this great help and assistance. 
 
As of 7:20 am today, MT STOLT STRENGTH" safely arrived in Salalah, 
Oman.  Her crew will take their flight back to the Philippines in a 
few days. 
 
Once again, thank you and I wish to reassure you and your Department 
of our continuing cooperation on issues of common and mutual 
interest. 
 
(Signature) 
End text of letter 
 
Memmott