UN envoy condemns latest acts of piracy in Somalia

NAIROBI. April 10. KAZINFORM United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah on Thursday condemned the recent rash of piracy off the coast of Somalia, Kazinform refers to Xinhuanet.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, Ould-Abdallah said the piracy, carried out sometimes 900 kilometers from the coast are renewed provocations to the international community. "Once again, daring acts of piracy are drawing attention to the situation in Somalia. This week alone, the hijacking of six ships -- one a day -- is a new record established by the pirates of Somalia," the UN envoy said in a statement. He added, "The response must be clear and firm condemnation in words and in action against this pandemic. These acts of criminality must not be allowed to follow the same path of impunity of the past." The UN envoy called on the new Somali authorities to help focus on addressing from within these root causes of piracy. "They should also be helped to free the unfortunate hostages--Somalis and foreigners--deprived for so long of freedom and their loved ones," Ould-Abdallah said. "Deployed off the Somali coast, the international naval presence -- coming from different continents -- in conformity with international legality should be increased and strengthened. In the region, it is seen as a welcome show of solidarity with the countries and their population," he said. Ould-Abdallah said the UN and the African Union, together with the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the European Union/European Commission are meeting on April 23 to support Somalia and address its security situation. "I have no doubt the results of the conference will be successful,"Ould-Abdallah said, adding that "these acts of piracy bring with them multiple threats to freedom of navigation, political and economic stability in the region, delivery of humanitarian assistance, and risk of environmental dimensions." Piracy has been rampant in the world's most dangerous waters around the Horn of Africa. There were 111 attacks last year off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, more than doubling the 2007 figure, Kazinform cites Xinhuanet. See www.chinaview.cn for full version.