FOREIGN
RELATIONS
Mauritius has strong and friendly relations with the West as well as with India and the countries of southern and eastern Africa. It is a member of the African Union (AU), World Trade Organization (WTO), the Commonwealth, La Francophonie, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the Indian Ocean Commission, Community of Eastern and South African States (COMESA), and the recently formed Indian Ocean Rim Association. In 2004, then-Prime Minister Berenger became chairman of SADC for a one-year term.
Trade,
commitment to democracy, colonial and cultural ties, and the country's
small size are driving forces behind Mauritian foreign policy.
The country's political heritage and dependence on Western markets
have led to close ties with the European Union and its member
states, particularly the United Kingdom and France, which exercises
sovereignty over neighboring Reunion.
Considered
part of Africa geographically, Mauritius has friendly relations
with other African states in the region, particularly South Africa,
by far its largest continental trading partner. Mauritian investors
are gradually entering African markets, notably Madagascar and
Mozambique. Mauritius coordinates much of its foreign policy with
the Southern Africa Development Community and the African Union.
Relations
with India are strong for both historical and commercial reasons.
Foreign embassies in Mauritius include Australia, the United Kingdom,
China, Egypt, France, India, Madagascar, Pakistan, Russia, South
Africa, and the United States.
DEFENSE
Mauritius does not have a standing army. All military, police,
and security functions are carried out by 10,000 active-duty personnel
under the command of the Commissioner of Police. The 8,000-member
National Police is responsible for domestic law enforcement. The
1,400-member Special Mobile Force (SMF) and the 688-member National
Coast Guard are the only two paramilitary units in Mauritius.
Both units are composed of police officers on lengthy rotations
to those services.
The SMF
is organized as a ground infantry unit and engages extensively
in civic works projects. The Coast Guard has four patrol craft
for search-and-rescue missions and surveillance of territorial
waters. A 100-member police helicopter squadron assists in search-and-rescue
operations. There also is a special supporting unit of 270 members
trained in riot control.
Military
advisers from the United Kingdom and India work with the SMF,
the Coast Guard, and the Police Helicopter Unit, and Mauritian
police officers are trained in the United Kingdom, India, and
France. The United States provides training to Mauritian security
officers in such fields as counter-terrorism methods, seamanship,
and maritime law enforcement.
U.S.-MAURITIAN
RELATIONS
Official U.S. representation in Mauritius dates from the end of
the 18th century. An American consulate established in 1794 closed
in 1911. It was reopened in 1967 and elevated to embassy status
upon the country's independence in 1968. Since 1970, the mission
has been directed by a resident U.S. ambassador.
Relations
between the United States and Mauritius are cordial and largely
revolve around trade. The United States is Mauritius’ third-largest
market but ranks 12th in terms of exports to Mauritius. Principal
imports from the U.S. include aircraft parts (for Air Mauritius),
automatic data processing machines, diamonds, jewelry, radio/TV
transmission apparatus, telecommunications equipment, agricultural/construction/industrial
machinery and equipment, casino slot machines, outboard motors,
books and encyclopedias, and industrial chemicals.
Mauritian exports to the U.S. include apparel, sugar, non-industrial diamonds, jewelry articles, live animals, sunglasses, rum, and cut flowers. Mauritian products that meet the rules of origin are eligible for duty- and quota-free entry in the U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. In September 2006, the Governments of Mauritius and the United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to remove impediments and further enhance trade and investment relations between the two countries.
More than 200 U.S. companies are represented in Mauritius. About 30 have offices in Mauritius, serving the domestic and/or the regional market, mainly in the information technology (IT), textile, fast food, express courier, and financial services sectors. The largest U.S. subsidiaries are Caltex Oil Mauritius and Esso Mauritius. U.S. brands are sold widely. Several U.S. franchises, notably Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and McDonald's have been operating for a number of years in Mauritius.
The United
States funds a small military assistance program. The embassy
also manages special self-help funds for community groups and
nongovernmental organizations and a democracy and human rights
fund.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Cesar Cabrera
Deputy Chief of Mission--Virginia Blaser
Management Officer--Tim Bashor
Public Affairs Officer--Victoria Delong
Consular Officer--Wendy Ryde
Political-Economic-Commercial Officer--Quentin Barber
Regional Security Officer--Brian Roundy
The address of the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius is Rogers House, Fourth Floor, John F. Kennedy Street, Port Louis (tel: 230-202-4400; fax: 230-208-9534; E-mail: usembass@intnet.mu).
