Every once in awhile, I like to flex my ‘Google Fu’ skills and do some digging around. Low and behold, I found an interesting little tidbit about the UAE’s mercenary army called Reflex Responses Management Consultancy LLC or R2 for short.
They just hired the services of Patton Boggs LLP for lobbying in Washington DC in the ‘trade’ department. So my question here is what does R2 plan on selling to the US? Could they offer training services, or maybe even maritime security services to US flagged vessels? Who knows, but I do know that Patton Boggs LLP is no small potatoes law firm/consultancy. They also have a long history and relationship with the UAE.
It is also interesting that all of this lobbying registration happened on 10/20/2011, which was the same time that a consulting firm registered to lobby for Maersk and International Org/Masters/Mates/Pilots. Now what I speculate is that Maersk is seeing the writing on the wall when it comes to having armed guards on boats, and they need some folks in DC to help clear things up.
Maersk is up against a Jones Act based lawsuit filed by crew members involved in the famous Maersk Alabama pirate attack that happened a few years back. They are claiming that Maersk put them needlessly at risk for not providing armed security on the boat. It would make sense that Maersk would lobby DC to alleviate some of the legal concerns about having armed guards on boats.
So how does this connect with the R2 deal? I don’t know, and maybe it is just coincidence. But it is also interesting that Secretary Clinton put out her memo in support of armed guards on boats a couple of days after these lobbyists registered. hmmmm
The other thing to note is that the UAE is on a blitz of sorts to promote anti-piracy efforts. The article I posted below lists a pretty extensive effort and strategy to tackle the problem. So does R2 play into that anti-piracy strategy?
Even if they are not connected, I think Maersk, the unions, and R2 are all interested in getting armed guards on boats. Either for capturing market share in the maritime security industry, or for liability reasons so they don’t get sued by the unions and crews for not protecting seafarers out there. Worse yet, if unions strike because vessels are not providing security, then that could have a serious impact on commerce. Hence why it behooves the government to do something about this. –Matt
Patton Boggs LLP for Reflex Responses Management Consultancy LLC
Issues: Trade (Domestic/Foreign)
Specific issue: Issues related to security consulting and related licensing matters.
Lobbyists: ?Farber, David J ?Garrett, John C ?McHale, Stephen (covered positions: Acting General Counsel, Treasury, Jan-Jun 2001; ActGCTreasury01 ) ?Oresman, Matthew Scott (covered positions: Sen.E.Kennedy,Intern,99;SenateJuducCom,LawClrck,05 )
Link to report here.
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Turner Pollard Strategies for Maersk Inc.
Issues: Defense; Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries; Taxation/Internal Revenue Code; Trade (Domestic/Foreign); Transportation
Specific issue: All issues relating to the U.S.-Flag Merchant Marine, including the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, the establishment of a Marine Highway, Cargo Preferences Statutes, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, the Tonnage Tax, Title XI (the Federal Ship Financing Program), and the protection of U.S. merchant ships from piracy.
Lobbyists: ?Pollard, John J III (covered positions: Staff of Rep Ike Skelton ans HASC ) ?Turner, James T
Link to report here.
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Turner Pollard Strategies for International Org/Masters/Mates/Pilots
Issues: Defense; Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries; Taxation/Internal Revenue Code; Trade (Domestic/Foreign); Transportation
Specific issue: All issues relating to the U.S.-Flag Merchant Marine, including the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, the establishment of a Marine Highway, Cargo Preference Statutes, the Harbor Maintenance Trust fund, the Tonnage Tax, Title XI (the Federal Ship Financing Program), and the protection of U.S. merchant ships from piracy.
Lobbyists: ?Pollard, John J III (covered positions: Staff of Rep Ike Skelton ans HASC ) ?Turner, James T
Link to report here.——————————————————–
UAE renews support to all military operations and critical measures aimed at ending piracy off the Coast of Somalia
Nov 18, 2011
The United Arab Emirates renewed its strong support for all military operations and critical measures aimed at improving the process of pursuing and prosecuting those responsible and involved in piracy acts, considering these measures as a strong deterrent for preventing this phenomenon from continuing.
In an intervention made by Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations Ahmed Al-Jarman before the Meeting of the Contact Group on Combating Piracy off the Coast of Somalia on Thursday at the UN Headquarters, he added : “At the same time, the UAE emphasizes that such measures are not sufficient to eliminate totally and permanently these serious acts at sea, and the international community is required to adopt a comprehensive cooperation strategy that ensures the total elimination of this phenomenon, which constitutes a form of organized crime that threatens countries and is subject to international laws”.