AdamCG
28th Nov 2005, 20:12
Word is they're going to fly a pair of Mi-8Ts - anyone have more details?
Somalia engages US firm to fight pirates
By Allan Kisia
http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=32758
Saturday November 26, 2005
Somalia has signed a $55 million (Sh4.1 billion) contract with a private American security firm to guard its coastline against pirates.
The two-year contract between Somalia?s Fisheries ministry and Topcat Marine Security was signed yesterday at a Nairobi hotel.
Somalia?s Prime Minister Mohamed Gedi, several Members of Parliament and members of diplomatic missions witnessed the signing.
Gedi said the agreement, reached after a year of negotiations, was a crucial step taken by the government to protect its marine resources and coastline.
"The agreement will defend Somalia?s territorial waters, defeat the pirates and put an end to illegal fishing," he said.
He said Somalia acknowledged the damage caused by pirates and illegal fishing and their effects.
He assured the international community that Somalia was determined to eliminate piracy and illegal fishing.
Somali?s Fisheries minister Hassan Abshir said international companies have been fishing illegally at the coastline as pirates robbed ships.
He asked all fishing companies to register with the ministry of Fisheries and get proper papers to operate at the coastline.
"We will show no mercy for those to don?t register. Ships will be confiscated, cargo seized and the crew arrested," he said.
The programme entails creating security bases, training coast guards and Special Forces.
Topcat president for research and development Peter Casini said his company would conduct boat and air patrols to intercept pirates.
Gedi said the signing of the agreement was a response by Somalia and other stakeholders for protection along the coastline.
"With the programme, we are confident that Somali?s territorial waters will once again be safe for international shipping," he said.
The International Maritime Bureau and Kenya?s National Union of Marine Aviation and Shipping Transport had been calling for the protection of ships travelling off the coast of Somalia.
Last week, Kenya Ports Authority said the increase of piracy was forcing boats to sail further ashore to avoid attacks, hiking shipping costs.
Somalia engages US firm to fight pirates
By Allan Kisia
http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=32758
Saturday November 26, 2005
Somalia has signed a $55 million (Sh4.1 billion) contract with a private American security firm to guard its coastline against pirates.
The two-year contract between Somalia?s Fisheries ministry and Topcat Marine Security was signed yesterday at a Nairobi hotel.
Somalia?s Prime Minister Mohamed Gedi, several Members of Parliament and members of diplomatic missions witnessed the signing.
Gedi said the agreement, reached after a year of negotiations, was a crucial step taken by the government to protect its marine resources and coastline.
"The agreement will defend Somalia?s territorial waters, defeat the pirates and put an end to illegal fishing," he said.
He said Somalia acknowledged the damage caused by pirates and illegal fishing and their effects.
He assured the international community that Somalia was determined to eliminate piracy and illegal fishing.
Somali?s Fisheries minister Hassan Abshir said international companies have been fishing illegally at the coastline as pirates robbed ships.
He asked all fishing companies to register with the ministry of Fisheries and get proper papers to operate at the coastline.
"We will show no mercy for those to don?t register. Ships will be confiscated, cargo seized and the crew arrested," he said.
The programme entails creating security bases, training coast guards and Special Forces.
Topcat president for research and development Peter Casini said his company would conduct boat and air patrols to intercept pirates.
Gedi said the signing of the agreement was a response by Somalia and other stakeholders for protection along the coastline.
"With the programme, we are confident that Somali?s territorial waters will once again be safe for international shipping," he said.
The International Maritime Bureau and Kenya?s National Union of Marine Aviation and Shipping Transport had been calling for the protection of ships travelling off the coast of Somalia.
Last week, Kenya Ports Authority said the increase of piracy was forcing boats to sail further ashore to avoid attacks, hiking shipping costs.