MV FINCH STILL WAITING TO COME TO SHORE

EL-ARISH (Egypt), May 19 (Bernama) -- It has been two days since Malaysian
humanitarian aid ship MV Finch anchored at the waiting area off El-Arish Port
but has yet to receive clear signals if it will be allowed to come to shore,
Bernama's correspondent Mohd Faizal Hassan said in a SMS note to Bernama's
heaquarters here Wednesday.

The 12 crew and passengers on board had tried to break through Israel's
siege of the Gaza coast in an effort to deliver aid to Palestinians.

Mohd Faizal said the ship had yet to receive the green light to berth by the
Egyptian authorities.

He said the seven Malaysians, two Indians, two Irish nationals and a
Canadian on board were having to to put up with cramped conditions and dwindling
fresh food supplies and water.

There was only about four tonnes of fresh water left and rationing had been
enforced, he said, adding that frantic calls had been made between the ship and
El -Arish Port authority, shipping agents in Greece and Egypt as well as
Malaysian Embassy officials in Egypt.

Mohd Faizal said it was unclear whether the delay was due to illegal use of
Egyptian waters to sneak into Gaza, an act that can be slapped with a fine, or
due to incomplete documentation from the shipping agent in Greecem where the
ship originated.

But whatever the problem may be, he said it was making life unbearable for
the people on board.

He said it was also hampering efforts to unload the ship's cargo of much
needed PVC pipes, which now had been designated to be sent using land transport
into Gaza.

Even with money being pumped from Kuala Lumpur to pay for the port fees,
things were not moving fast enough, said Mohd Faizal.

He added that it might take more days to clear up things based on the latest
developments.