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Sri
Lanka and 8 other Indian Ocean nations partner in port security
initiative
A
new organization dedicated to Indian Ocean regional port and
maritime security has been launched. The South Asia Regional
Port Security Cooperative, composed of nine nations, sees
such traditional rivals as India and Pakistan making a rare
attempt to work together on such issues of mutual concern.
The South Asia Regional Port Security Cooperative, known as
SARPSCO, brings together many of the countries sharing the
waters of the Indian Ocean: Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Madagascar,
the Maldives, Mauritius, Oman, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
On hand for the group’s unveiling Monday on a remote
and pristine atoll in the Maldives was the country’s
President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. In a speech broadcast to
the nation’s 200 inhabited islands, Mr. Gayoom said the
nine countries’ vigilance is crucial to combat the maritime
threats they jointly face.
“This conference, with its broad representation, is an
excellent opportunity to chart a new framework for regional
cooperation in this vital area,” he said.
Half of the world’s international maritime traffic is
in the Indian Ocean region. Of special concern to the group
is the potential disruption to oil shipments, which would
have disastrous economic consequences for the region.
The United States is pledging to support the new multination
initiative, although it will not be a member.
U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Craig E. Bone said it is necessary
to work together on port and maritime security to save lives
and prevent economic damage by thwarting criminal and terrorist
acts before they can be carried out.
“If crimes such as illegal fishing, human smuggling and
the transportation of illegal cargoes and drugs can not be
collectively combated, then neither can terrorism and piracy,”
he said.
The admiral said the formation of SARPSCO sends a clear message
and a warning to terrorists and criminals in the South Asia
and Indian Ocean region that they will be detected, they will
be interdicted and their activities will not be tolerated.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Robert Blake,
Jr., also spoke at the cooperative’s inaugural session,
saying the group could do a lot to thwart those thinking of
attacking ports in the Indian Ocean region.
“Cargo containers and international seaports pose potentially
attractive targets for terrorists,” he said. “A
successful attack against a port could cripple a nation’s
economy and disrupt international shipping worldwide.”
SARPSCO is the latest in a series of such economic and security
cooperative initiatives in the region. India organised an
Indian Ocean naval symposium in February.
The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation was launched
in 1985. But critics say too often these organisations do
not implement resolutions, achieve little, are underfunded,
and any progress is hampered by traditional regional rivalries,
especially between India and Pakistan.
(Voice of America)
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