NEWS Flash!!! PP Collaborators Seek to Boost Regional Anti-Piracy Efforts But Fail Closer to Home

EDITORIAL COMMENT BY LEONARD FRANCIS GILL

The PP Collaborator Government continues its efforts to boost the regional capability to counter the threat of Somali piracy near the Seychelles the Seselwa Rasin homeland. While undertaking these regional efforts that are connected to obtaining increased aid from the European Union, the PP Collaborators have utterly failed to articulate and implement a comprehensive defense strategy to defend the inner islands in the Republic of Seychelles from pirate attack. Thus, the resorts of the Rasin homeland are left exposed to possible piracy that may eventually lead to kidnappings of tourists for ransom from our resorts. This possibility left unattended by the PP Collaborators would be devastating to our economy and well being. The PP Collaborators must take a stronger defense posture to defend our inner islands and resorts from Somali pirate attack in addition to their regional efforts to combat the problem.

PRESS RELEASE

(KUNA) -- EU foreign and security policy chief Catherine Ashton met with the ministers of Djibouti, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa in Seycehlles on Friday to discuss regional cooperation to fight the menace of piracy, noted an EU statement on Saturday.

"Piracy is today an international problem which requires a comprehensive multilateral solution. The participants agreed that to be effective in addressing the challenge of piracy, the countries in the region will have to act together. They agreed to forge strong regional cooperation because regional solidarity is essential to fight piracy" said the EU statement.

The participants recognised the crucial role of the EU anti-piracy mission Atalanta off Somalia.

In the medium-term, it was stressed the need to strengthen the capacities of the countries in the wider region on the prosecution and imprisonment of pirates.

But it was agreed that a comprehensive strategy can only be achieved by addressing the underlying security challenges and development causes behind piracy.

Representatives from international organization such as the UN, Africa Union, INTERPOL also attended Friday's meeting in Seychelles.

The participants agreed to meet again soon and continue their concerted efforts for a coordinated international action for sustainable solutions on piracy, added the statement.

Ashton also visited Kenya and Tanzania during her African tour earlier this week.