WORLD NAVAL LEADERS TO TALK ABOUT COMBATING PIRACY

WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Bernama)-- Naval leaders from around the globe will
convene in Newport, Rhode Island, next week to discuss common maritime
challenges and opportunities to enhance maritime security cooperation, including
combating piracy, US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead said here
Wednesday.

Roughead said Malaysia's Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar,
who had accepted the invitation to attend one of the largest gatherings of
maritime leaders in history, had been invited to lead a panel discussion at the
three-day symposium from Oct. 7.

Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand had successfully worked
together to combat piracy in the Straits of Melaka and in the rest of the
region by sharing information and naval cooperation in fighting piracy, leading
to a dramatic drop in incidents, he told Bernama.

Both US naval intelligence and the International Maritime Bureau in Kuala
Lumpur, which tracks piracy worldwide, reported a decline in sea robbery as
navies and coast guards had gone on the offensive.

Malaysia had provided significant contribution in the fight against piracy
off Somalia, and the lessons and experiences, and the successful collaborative
efforts in Africa would be shared at the upcoming meeting, Roughead said.

Malaysia is part of an international patrol contingent of some two dozen
warships from countries, including the US, Russia and members of the European
Union, in anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden.

The biennial 19th International Seapower Symposium this year celebrates the
40th anniversary of the gathering. To date 106 nations have confirmed
participation in the event.

For the first time, Russia and Vietnam are sending senior officers as
delegates compared with previous years where they sent naval attaches.

Noticeably absent is China. "No, China will not attend," Roughead said.
-- BERNAMA