OPINION> FROM THE CHINESE PRESS
Join hands to fight off pirates
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-23 07:46

International communities should join hands to crack down on pirates rather than take separate countermeasures, says an article in Wen Wei Po. Following is an excerpt:

We must realize that rampant pirate attacks in recent months should be ascribed to the shortage of countermeasures to a large degree.

For example, currently, countries concerned have adopted separate measures to escort their ships against attacks and international communities have launched few collective battles against pirates.

An effective mechanism to fight off piracy is missing.

Firstly, countries that have participated in the crackdown should integrate multiple forces and coordinate the tasks among them. Only by doing so can the dead space of the seas be covered, leaving no opportunities for pirates.

Secondly, the short-term efficient way of cracking down on pirates lies in the establishment of effective information communications mechanism. The European Atalante Operation has set a good example. It set up a safety center in the seas, offering information and help.

As yet, some 1,500 ships have already used the service of this center and none of the ships that have been covered by this service have fallen prey to pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Finally, the most fundamental way of solving this problem is to support the peace progress of Somalia by the international world and to cut off the support to pirates.

(China Daily 04/23/2009 page8)