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Anti-piracy operations must be led by UN - Russia's navy chief
06/26/2009 Source:The Russian Navy supports the idea of conducting international anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden under the UN aegis, its commander said on Thursday.
Around 35 warships from the navies of 16 countries are currently deployed off Somalia's coast to counter frequent pirate attacks on vital commercial lanes. According to the United Nations, Somali pirates carried out at least 120 attacks on ships in 2008 alone.
"Our view on the international fight against sea piracy is clear: we believe that these operations must be conducted under the aegis of the United Nations," Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said.
Russia will conduct both separate missions and joint operations in cooperation with foreign navies in the Gulf of Aden, the admiral said.
The Russian Navy joined international anti-piracy efforts off Somali coast in October 2008. Three warships have so far participated in the mission - the Baltic Fleet's Neustrashimy (Fearless) frigate, and the Pacific Fleet's Admiral Vinogradov and Admiral Panteleyev destroyers.
Russia's Pacific Fleet will send a new task force, comprising a warship with two helicopters, a salvage tug, a tanker, and a naval infantry unit, to the Gulf of Aden in late June.
According to the UN, Somali pirates collected $150 million in ransom payments from ship owners last year, while overall losses from piracy were estimated at $13-16 billion, including the soaring cost of insurance and protection for vessels, as well as sending ships on longer routes to avoid high-risk areas.
Somalia has been without an effective government since the Revolutionary Socialist Party was overthrown in 1991. The internationally recognized federal government controls only the capital city of Mogadishu and part of central Somalia.