Written question asked by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 March 2006.

Somalia: Pirates

Question: Whether, following the attempted hijacking of a vessel contracted to deliver aid to Somalia on 13 March and the International Maritime Bureau’s warning that piracy will increase this year, they will seek a United Nations Security Council resolution to station appropriate naval forces in the area, to deter and arrest pirates and arms traders.

Answer: The UK is not seeking a United Nations Security Council resolution. The president of the United Nations Security Council issued a statement on Somalia on 15 March 2006 (S/PRST/2006/1 1). This includes the following reference to piracy:"““The Council encourages member states whose naval vessels and military aircraft operate in international waters and airspace adjacent to the coast of Somalia to be vigilant to any incident of piracy therein and to take appropriate action to protect merchant shipping, in particular the transportation of humanitarian aid, against any such act, in line with relevant international law””." The full text of the statement can be found on the UN website at www.daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N06/272/81/PDF/N0627281.pdf?OpenElement. The UK is a member of CTF-150, a coalition naval task force whose area of operations includes the waters off the coast of Somalia. CTF-150 vessels operate regular naval patrols in the area, which act as a deterrent to illegal activities. Under international law, these activities are restricted to international waters. In 2006, there have been two incidents of CTF-150 vessels intercepting and capturing pirates off the coast of Somalia.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4797; 680 c130-1WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Deployment Protection Piracy Merchant shipping Warships UN resolutions Somalia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk