RESTRICTED
MDHIA
150604
9440
ASIAN SHIPOWNERS' FORUM HAD PROPOSED AN AGENDA CALLING FOR A MECHANISM FOR THE REPORTING OF INCIDENTS, A REGIONAL PIRACY CENTRE AND COORDINATED ACTION AGAINST PIRATES.
COMMENT
5. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW MUCH THE IDEA OF AN ASEAN APPROACH REPRESENTS WISHFUL THINKING ON THE PART OF MARINA AND THE COAST GUARD. THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS IN THE NEW GOVERNMENT WILL BE IN PLACE FOLLOWING THE INAUGURATION ON 30 JUNE AND IT SHOULD THEN BE CLEARER HOW MUCH REAL POLITICAL COMMITMENT THERE IS TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM. EVEN IF THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS SERIOUSLY CONCERNED, HOWEVER, THE PARLOUS STATE OF THE PHILIPPINE NAVY AND COAST GUARD WILL LIMIT ITS PRACTICAL ABILITY TO ENFORCE ANY MEASURES AGREED.
COLLINS
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
70
AMD
SEAD
HKD
LAD
WED
NAD
FED
ADDITIONAL
2
DTP//F WALL
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
72
SPD
WAD
LEGAL ADVISERS
PS/LENNOX-BOYD
PS/GOODLAD
MR BONE
SEC NS/NAVY//H PUGH