ID :
31964
Mon, 11/24/2008 - 10:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/31964
The shortlink copeid
SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS M'SIA'S PROPOSAL TO COMBAT PIRACY SOON
From Mikhail Raj Abdullah
LIMA (Peru), Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The United Nations Security Council
will soon discuss Malaysia's proposal for a Naval Peacekeeping Force to combat
piracy in the high seas especially in the Gulf of Aden.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib Razak said Foreign Minister Dr
Rais Yatim had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice by telephone
Saturday night on the matter.
"It will be on the agenda of the council within weeks with some form of
response in terms of action that's required," he told Malaysian journalists
after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit here Sunday.
He said nothing would happen if there was just a verbal statement issued
without concrete measures to ensure enforcement in that particular area.
Earlier, in wrapping up their two-day summit, Apec leaders welcomed ongoing
efforts to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea.
The leaders representing 21-member economies whose trade relies extensively
on seaborne trade encouraged concerted efforts to fight against piracy.
Najib said he had suggested to the Apec leaders that a Naval Peacekeeping
Force could become the maritime version of the land-based peace-keeping
operations which had been implemented by the United Nations (UN) all this time.
He said the suggestion should be given due consideration to ensure that
strategic areas such as the Gulf of Aden could be used safely by Apec member
nations as well as the other countries.
In view of the frequent attacks including on two ships belonging to the
Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC), the other countries
realised that the situation had become very serious and something needed to be
done as such attacks would affect the economic interests of the Apec
nations
MISC reportedly paid out a ransom of US$2 million to free two of its ships
from pirates operating off the coast of Somalia.
Najib said he also told the leaders that the littoral states of Malaysia,
Singapore and Indonesia had achieved success through close cooperation to keep
the Straits of Melaka safe for seafaring vessels.
-- BERNAMA
LIMA (Peru), Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The United Nations Security Council
will soon discuss Malaysia's proposal for a Naval Peacekeeping Force to combat
piracy in the high seas especially in the Gulf of Aden.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib Razak said Foreign Minister Dr
Rais Yatim had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice by telephone
Saturday night on the matter.
"It will be on the agenda of the council within weeks with some form of
response in terms of action that's required," he told Malaysian journalists
after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit here Sunday.
He said nothing would happen if there was just a verbal statement issued
without concrete measures to ensure enforcement in that particular area.
Earlier, in wrapping up their two-day summit, Apec leaders welcomed ongoing
efforts to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea.
The leaders representing 21-member economies whose trade relies extensively
on seaborne trade encouraged concerted efforts to fight against piracy.
Najib said he had suggested to the Apec leaders that a Naval Peacekeeping
Force could become the maritime version of the land-based peace-keeping
operations which had been implemented by the United Nations (UN) all this time.
He said the suggestion should be given due consideration to ensure that
strategic areas such as the Gulf of Aden could be used safely by Apec member
nations as well as the other countries.
In view of the frequent attacks including on two ships belonging to the
Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC), the other countries
realised that the situation had become very serious and something needed to be
done as such attacks would affect the economic interests of the Apec
nations
MISC reportedly paid out a ransom of US$2 million to free two of its ships
from pirates operating off the coast of Somalia.
Najib said he also told the leaders that the littoral states of Malaysia,
Singapore and Indonesia had achieved success through close cooperation to keep
the Straits of Melaka safe for seafaring vessels.
-- BERNAMA
