UN Security Council to discuss anti-piracy measures off Somalia

Africa News

Apr 28, 2008, 16:36 GMT

New York - The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to discuss possible authorization of states to act against pirates off the Somali coasts, where piracy acts have increased against passenger ships and tankers, the United States said Monday. A draft resolution written by Britain, the United States, Panama and France was submitted to the 15-nation council, which would authorize states to cooperate with Somalia's provisional government for an initial six months to fight acts of piracy. Under the proposal, such states could use their naval vessels and aircraft to enter Somalia's territorial waters 'for the purposes of identifying and pursuing pirates and armed robberies and of deterring, preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in a manner consistent with such action permitted on the high seas with respect to piracy under relevant international law.' The draft would allow states cooperating with Somalia to use 'all necessary means' to identify, deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy. It would allow relevant states to cooperate and determine ways to ensure the detention, investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for acts of piracy. US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters that the draft would be discussed by the council in coming days because piracy has become 'more frequent and more brazen.' 'It is time for the Security Council to respond to the situation,' Khalilzad said, adding that while the focus currently is on the Somali coasts, the anti-piracy measures could be applied to other areas in the world where piracy acts have been reported. Security Council members have become aware that Somalia's provisional government cannot deal with pirates off its shores. The Somali government has also welcomed international assistance to fight pirates who have stolen ships carrying food supplies for the country. Incidents over the past years included the seizure of the Panamanian-flagged vessel Fiesta Gas in April, 2005, and the hijacking earlier this month of the French luxury passenger ship and detained its passengers. Last week, pirates seized the Spanish fishing vessel Playa de Bakia and attempted to seize the Japanese oil tanker Takayama. Pirates apparently have demanded a ransom of 1 million euros for the release of the crew of the Spanish fishing boat, but Madrid denied the ransom demand.

Your Talkback on this Story

Older Talkback

page: 1

Michael KerjmanFeb 15th, 2009 - 23:28:04

Internet might satisfy curiosity at any issue and topic, this Faina-linked especially:
http: // boy2009.instablogs. com/entry/ukrainian-top-officials-accused-in-staging-faina-drama/

If any problems to open a page-go to www. instablogs. com and find through search window using a tag “Faina”.

Report this comment

L.N.Mar 1st, 2009 - 04:39:21

Thank you, M. Kerjman, for a really interesting link.

Not much is heard on Faina at all afterwards in media.

Report this comment

Michael KerjmanMay 5th, 2009 - 02:25:52

More news on topic:

Pirates hijacked the Ariana ship going under the Malta flag with 24 Ukrainian citizens on board off the Seycheles (Indian Ocean) on May 2, the press service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

What is interesting a ship was hijacked by the same Somali pirates in 250miles from Seychelles Islands and about 1000 miles from area anti-Somali-pirate international fleet operates.

Perhaps, by a chanse...

Report this comment

M. KerjmanMay 5th, 2009 - 02:27:52

By a chanCe.........

Report this comment

page: 1

Latest Headlines in Africa

News from Other Sites

Phishing: Verified by Visa scam targets holiday shoppers

- The Tech Herald

Writer Hired For Underworld 4
Brad Pitt Producing Dark Void Video Game Adaptation

- Cinema Blend

Africa

UN Security Council to discuss anti-piracy measures off Somalia

Africa News

Your Talkback on this Story

Older Talkback

Similar articles

Latest Headlines in Africa

News from Other Sites

From Sites We Like

Latest Tech Herald News

Latest Cinema Blend News

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print