[Editor’s note: The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1978STATE307131_d.html.]>
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 01
STATE 307131
ORIGIN L-03
INFO OCT-01 ARA-15 ISO-00 SCS-06 CA-01 JUSE-00 TRSE-00 CG-00 DOTE-00 SY-05 DODE-00 CIAE-00 INR-10 NSAE-00 INRE-00 SSO-00 /041 R
DRAFTED BY L/CA:REDALTON:JBM
APPROVED BY L/CA:REDALTON
GUYANA TASK FORCE- A. GISE
L/ARA – M. KOZAK
L – J.H. MICHEL (SUBS)
——————022959 060014Z /61
O 052329Z DEC 78
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
AMEMBASSY PANAMA
UNCLAS STATE 307131
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: CASC, OREP (RYAN, LEO), GY
SUBJECT: CUSTODY OF VESSEL “ALBATROSS II”
REF: GEORGETOWN 4066
1. ON BASIS OF PRESENT FACTS DEPARTMENT DOES NOT BELIEVE EMBASSY BRIDGETOWN SHOULD CONSULT WITH GOG REGARDING ATTACHMENT OF CONSULAR SEALS TO THE ALBATROSS AND POSSIBILITY OF DETENTION OF VESSEL BY GOB. OBSTACLES TO THAT COURSE OF ACTION ARE PANAMANIAN REGISTRATION THAT PRESENTS DIFFICULTY IN OUR ASSERTING JURISDICTION WITH RESPECT TO VESSEL AND RELUCTANCE TO INCUR BERTHING CHARGES FOR VESSEL TO WHICH WE ARE MORE UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO LAY CLAIM.
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2. DEPARTMENT WOULD APPRECIATE EMBASSY PANAMA FURNISHING PARTICULARS WITH RESPECT TO PANAMANIAN CORPORATION THAT OWNS ALBATROSS IF THAT IS POSSIBLE.
VANCE [Secretary of State Cyrus Vance]
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