Traders In Somalia Set Up Force To Guard UAE Ships
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DUBAI, May 15, 2006 -- The Somalian Business Association in Dubai has decided to deploy its own armed security to protect the crew of cargo vessels sent from the UAE to different ports in Somalia, your favorite No. 1 newspaper Khaleej Times has learnt.
The decision came in the light of the recent hijacking of two cargo vessels Lin 1 and MV Al Taj flying UAE flags by Somalian pirates within a month.
According to Abdul Kareem, a member of Somalian Business Association, the security launch will escort the cargo vessels when it arrives in Somalian sea until it returns from there.
“We held a meeting to discuss how to tackle the problems of pirates. Because of the pirates we lost a lot of money. We are concerned about the life of the crew members also,” he said.
He disclosed that they will spend half a million dollars to facilitate security in the Somalian waters. The menace of the pirates is growing.
“Somalia does not have a government at the moment. So we do not have any other alternative than use our own security system,” he added.
“We are shocked to learn of the brutal murder of Jumma Osman, a crew member of MV Al Taj, the cargo vessel hijacked in Somalian waters on April 27. More than money the life of crewmembers of cargo vessels are important for us. We will do our level best to tackle the problems created by the pirates,” he said.
Meanwhile, Narandra Shial, owner of MV Al Taj, said "I will not send my vessel again to Somalia . Now the season is over and it will start again in October. First I will check the security arrangements promised by the business association in Somalian waters and only when I am convinced about the security aspect, I will reconsider sending my vessel to Somalia."
He said that due to the recent incidents of piracy, the ship owners are forced re-think about sending their vessels to Somalia. " The security of the vessel and crew members are important for us. Incidents like this shake our confidence
In sending our vessels and crew to Somalia. The Somalian authorities should deal with the problems soon and make sure they provide security," he said.
Source: Khaleej Times
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