US to render assistance to littoral states of Melaka Straits: commander

The United States would only render assistance to three littoral states of the Melaka Straits by exchanging information and training their troops, an US navy commander said on Wednesday.

"On the Straits of Melaka, we believe that it is important that we share information so that each country can take appropriate action in their territorial waters," visiting Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Command Admiral Thomas Fargo said at a round table discussion with the local media here.

While stating that "the United States respected the fundamental principle of sovereignty" of the littoral states, namely Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, he said, "we can help train (troops) and clarify procedures. This is what we have been saying all along. In hunting for terrorists, we would work together with the nations to share intelligence and build capacity."

In April this year, Fargo reportedly said that the deployment of the US forces along the narrow straits straddling Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia was part of Washington's new counter terrorism initiative to help Southeast Asia.

In response to the comments, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Rasak said, Malaysia did not need military help from the United States to guard the Straits of Melaka.

The task of guarding the Straits, one of the busiest waterways in the world, was the joint responsibility of the three littoral states, Najib added.

Praising Malaysia for its efforts to combat terrorism, Fargo said the country was working hard and was successful in sharing information with its neighbors on this issue.

"I am impressed with the Malaysian military and the police who are capable and proven to be effective. We have a location where territorial waters connect busy shipping lanes and Malaysia has set an example for others to follow. The armed forces and the police have proven themselves," he said.

Malaysia has set an example for others to follow. The armed forces and the police have proven themselves...

He said that at the same time, Indonesia was also resolute in eradicating terrorism and this conviction was shown by steps taken by the country to apprehend the Bali bombers.

He, however, conceded that it would be difficult for Indonesia to safeguard its territorial waters especially with over 17,000 islands to man but it could be achieved through a coordinated effort.

"Singapore, Malaysia and the United States share the same concern on security in the Straits. We need a very close coordination. We have high level of confidence that the Straits would be safe but there are (lingering) security concerns," Fargo said.

He said that there was a need to gain a clear view of the maritime space, not only in the Straits of Melaka, but also in shipping lanes worldwide.

"We know what an aircraft is carrying, its cargo, the number of passengers, its destination and time of arrival. We need (this kind of information) to get that on maritime vessels. This can be achieved through sharing of information, good tracking system and capacity-building by nations," he said.

Fargo said that the three countries, which envelope the Straits of Melaka, had made significant strides against the Jemaah Islamiah (JI), a terrorist cell in the region, especially with the arrest of over 200 JI members over the last two years.

Acknowledging that maritime was being used by terrorists, he said countries in the region had to work closely to deal effectively to clamp down terrorist activities here.

Asked on the possible mode of attack which could be used by terrorists in the Straits of Melaka, Fargo said that there was a wide range of possibilities, including incorporating a bomb to a vessel or using explosive cargo.

On his meeting with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar over the last few days, Fargo said that it gave him an opportunity to discuss various issues with the leaders of the country.

Fargo arrived here on Monday for a three-day visit, his third visit to Malaysia in the recent years. The US commander will leave here for Thailand late Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua