INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Mauritius Objects to Visit of Emory S. Land To

Published: Wed 20 Jan 2010 10:00 AM
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SUBJECT: MAURITIUS OBJECTS TO VISIT OF EMORY S. LAND TO
DIEGO GARCIA
1. The Embassy has received a diplomatic note from the
government of Mauritius objecting to the summer 2010 visit of
the USS Emory S. Land to Diego Garcia.
2. The note refers to an announcement made by Rear Admiral
Douglas McAneny, Commander Submarine Force U.S. Pacific
Fleet, regarding the Land's visit and states (stripped of
formulaic opening and closing):
BEGIN TEXT: "The Government of the Republic of Mauritius
strongly objects to the proposed deployment of the USS Emory
S. Land to Diego Garcia, which forms an integral part of the
territory of the Republic of Mauritius.
The Government of the Republic of Mauritius reiterates that
the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, is part of
the sovereign territory of the Republic of Mauritius under
Mauritian law as well as international law. It deplores the
fact that Mauritius is still not in a position to exercise
effective control over the Chagos Archipelago in view of its
illegal excision by the British Government from Mauritius
prior to its independence.
Moreover, as a party to the African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone
Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty), the Republic of Mauritius has the
obligation to prohibit in its territory the stationing and
the testing of any nuclear explosive device." END TEXT
3. COMMENT: The sovereignty of Diego Garcia is an emotional
issue for Mauritius. It is also a political issue which is
receiving increased attention as the country moves toward
national elections this year. The diplomatic note is a
result of significant newspaper coverage of Rear Admiral
McAneny's announcement and the well-publicised claims of
environmental NGOs regarding the possible presence of nuclear
weapons on Diego Garcia. Mauritian criticism may be expected
to resurface as the date for the Land's visit approaches. END
COMMENT
WALKLEY
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