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Turkish MPs approve navy's Somali piracy mission
Ankara (AFP) Feb 10, 2009 The Turkish parliament Tuesday authorised the government to send a warship to the Gulf of Aden to join an international coalition against Somali pirates in the region. The government motion, which sought the authorisation for a period of one year, was approved in a vote by show of hands. Officials have not clarified when the frigate will be dispatched, but the military said last week the ship would be ready to sail by the end of February. UN Security Council resolutions in December authorised countries to take measures to suppress acts of piracy and armed robbery in the region. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said last week that the Turkish mission "will not be an individual mission but rather one in which Turkey will be part of a naval force including a number of countries." UN chief Ban Ki-moon said last month the Security Council could explore the possibility of setting up a maritime task force or adding to current anti-piracy operations "a quick reaction component." The Turkish frigate's mandate will include patrolling the sea off Somalia, escorting commercial ships, stopping and seizing pirates' vessels by "using force when the circumstances require" and detaining the assailants "when necessary," according to the government motion. The crew would not take part in land operations. Three Turkish vessels were hijacked in the region in 2008, with the last of them being released earlier this week. Turkish law requires the government to obtain parliamentary authorisation before it sends a military mission overseas. Piracy is rife and well organised in the area where Somalia's northeastern tip juts into the Indian Ocean, preying on a key maritime route leading to the Suez Canal. More than 130 ships were attacked in the area in 2008 alone. The heavily armed pirates operate high-powered speedboats and sometimes hold ships for weeks before releasing them for large ransoms paid by governments or shipowners. Related Links 21st Century Pirates
Somali pirates release Chinese boat: foreign ministry
Beijing (AFP) Feb 8, 2009A Chinese fishing boat and its 24-member crew held by Somali pirates for three months were released Sunday, China's foreign affairs ministry said. |
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