US embassy cable - 04DUBLIN881

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000881 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR L/CID AND EB/IFD/OIA 
 
E.O. 12958 N/A 
TAGS: EINV, EFIN, PGOV, KIDE 
SUBJECT: 2004 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND 
EXPROPRIATION CLAIMS - IRELAND 
 
REF:STATE 78697 
 
1.  Post is aware of one (1) claim of a United States 
citizen that is outstanding against the Government of 
Ireland (GOI). 
 
2.  The dispute involves the salvage rights of the 
United States citizen Greggory Bemis to the wreck of 
the ocean liner Lusitania.  In 1998 the GOI imposed a 
"Heritage Order" on the wreck site, designating it 
part of the national historic patrimony and giving the 
GOI's heritage service authority to regulate access to 
the site.  Bemis, the Lusitania's owner, has twice 
applied for and been denied access to the wreck on the 
grounds that the proposed exploration would threaten 
the Lusitania's preservation.  In July 2001 Bemis 
filed for judicial review of the ruling.  The case 
came before the Irish High Court in November 2003.  To 
date, there has been no judgment. 
 
KENNY