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NATO SG seeks cooperation with Russia in fight against Somali pirates
02/09/2009 Source:Translation: RusNavy.com
Russia and NATO could cooperate in the fight against pirates in the Gulf of Aden, said Jaap de hoop Scheffer, NATO’s secretary general.
"NATO should give more attention to the fight against pirates. NATO and Russia could cooperate on that issue," Scheffer said in a speech Saturday at the 45th Munich Security Conference.
A coalition made up of the navies of 15 countries is conducting operations against pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The group has been joined by the navies of EU countries now conducting Atalanta operation in the region, as well as NATO countries. Warships of the Russian Navy are also patrolling the region and escorting ships.
According to the UN, some 120 pirate attacks were registered in the region of the Horn of Africa in 2008 alone. Some 35 cargo ships and 600 crewmembers were captured.
Somali authorities are unable to put an end to the situation due to a civil war that has been consuming the country for more than 15 years now. The UN also estimates that pirates could earn up to $150 million this year from their unlawful activity.