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### Viewing cable 09PANAMA417, PANAMA: GOP SAYS USCG DID NOT FOLLOW SALAS-BECKER

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09PANAMA417 | 2009-05-22 22:19 | 2011-05-31 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Panama

`

    VZCZCXYZ0000
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHZP #0417/01 1422219
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    R 222219Z MAY 09
    FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3413
    INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 2804
    RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 2015
    RHMFISS/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
    RHMFISS/DIRJIATF SOUTH
    RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
    RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
    RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
    RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
    RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000417

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2019
    TAGS: PGOV PREL PM
    SUBJECT: PANAMA: GOP SAYS USCG DID NOT FOLLOW SALAS-BECKER
    PROTOCOL

    Classified By: DCM David R. Gilmour for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

    ----------------------------------
    Summary, Action Request and Comment
    -----------------------------------

    ¶1.  (C)  The GOP protested in a diplomatic note from the MFA
    on May 20, 2009 that the U.S. Coast Guard did not follow
    agreed upon procedures during the search of Panamanian
    flagged vessel, M/V Pollux A on April 27.  Specifically, the
    note protested that the USCG did not share information with
    the National Aero-Naval Service (SENAN) as laid out in the
    draft Standard Operating Procedures for implementing the
    Salas-Becker maritime cooperation agreement, negotiated with
    the GOP in December 2008. Post understands that the crew
    aboard the USCG cutter Decisive stopped communicating with
    the SENAN believing that they should not interfere with the
    dipnote process for securing jurisdiction over the ship. The
    specific complaint in the note is that because USCG stopped
    communicating with SENAN, SENAN was not able to give the MFA
    the information they needed to decide on the request to
    decline jurisdiction. While this case was eventually resolved
    satisfactorily, the dipnote highlights the sensitivity of the
    GOP on these matters, and the necessity to follow the letter
    and spirit of the Salas-Becker maritime cooperation
    agreement, a vital linchpin in U.S.-Panamanian
    counter-narcotics cooperation.

    ¶2.  (C)  Action Request: Post requests guidance for response.

    ¶3.  (C)  Comment: As this tactical-level incident
    illustrates, misunderstandings have the potential to generate
    political-level concerns that could quickly create problems
    for our strategic counter-narcotics cooperation with Panama.
    Post will continue to press the GOP to finalize the standard
    operating procedures and urges that these SOPs be extensively
    briefed, including to the tactical level.

    ---------------------------------
    Unofficial Translation of Dipnote
    ---------------------------------

    ¶4. (U) BEGIN UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS:

    UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

    REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

    Ministry of Foreign Relations

    N/V A.J. No. 1156

    The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of
    Panama, Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Treaties,
    presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United
    States of America and refers to the enforcement of the
    Salas-Becker Agreement.

    The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of
    Panama, Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Treaties,
    informs the Embassy of the United States of America that
    (on) April 30, 2009, the National Aero-Naval Service of
    Panama (SENAN) sent a detailed report (to the Ministry of
    Foreign Relations) on the events that took place
    surrounding the detention in international waters of
    Panamanian-flagged vessel POLLUX A. The report highlights
    the fact that the Panamanian authority requested on several
    occasions from District 7th of the U.S. Coast Guard
    information about the results of the inspection that began
    on April 26 and that it wasn't until after four (4) days
    later, on April 30, 2009, that the SENAN received the
    confirmation of the existence of illicit merchandise
    (in the vessel).

    In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Relations of the
    Republic of Panama Directorate General of Legal Affairs and
    Treaties, wishes to inform the Embassy of the United States
    of America that the confirmation by way of SENAN about the
    existence of illicit merchandise (in the vessel) was only
    provided upon reiterated requests by SENAN to District 7th
    of the U.S. Coast Guard, and upon this Ministry's insistence
    that SENAN keep requesting it as (the government) was in the
    process of studying the request for a waiver of jurisdiction
    requested by the Embassy through Diplomatic Note No. 701 of
    April 29, 2009.

    In regards to the above, the Ministry of Foreign Relations
    of the Republic of Panama, Directorate General of Legal
    Affairs and Treaties, transmits to the Embassy of the
    United States of America its concerns about the procedure
    followed in this occasion, since it was not in line with
    what is state in Article XIV (of the Salas-Becker Agreement),
    which calls for both parties to have the most ample and full
    communication during each operation.  At the same time, it is
    (also not in line with) the principle of the agreement
    reached between both governments during the meetings held in
    Panama City in December 2008.

    The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of
    Panama, Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Treaties,
    reiterates to the Embassy of the United States of America
    the importance for the Government of Panama of the
    enforcement
    of the Salas-Becker Agreement based on the Manual of
    Procedures
    that is under analysis by both nations in order to avoid
    major
    inconveniences during the processing of these requests.

    The Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of
    Panama, Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Treaties,
    avails itself of this opportunity to reiterate to the
    Embassy of the United States of America, the assurances of
    its highest consideration.

    Panama, May 8, 2009

    To The Honorable
    Embassy of the United States of America,
    Panama, Republic of Panama

    OAE/oae

    END UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
    STEPHENSON

`