The proposed Australian 1,000 nautical mile maritime identification zone appears not to infringe on the sovereign rights of countries that come within it, or relevant international maritime laws, New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said in Wellington Thursday.

Under plans unveiled by Australian Prime Minister John Howard, ships destined for Australia could be intercepted once they are inside the 1,000 nautical mile (1,850 km) security net, which stretches south of New Zealand to north of Indonesia.

Commenting on the plan, Goff said in a statement that while details and operational issues have apparently not been finalized in Australia, the intention appears to be simply to seek information from vessels within the region, and in particular those heading for Australian ports.

He said vessels traveling to Australian ports would, on entering the zone, be required to provide certain information relating to the vessel, cargo, route and intended arrival in port.

Similar requirements already exist for air traffic and New Zealand itself requires vessels to provide authorities with similar information 48 hours before entering a New Zealand port. For the average container ship traveling at 21 knots, this in effect equates to a 1,008 nautical mile maritime information zone,the NZ minister said.

"We understand that vessels transiting the zone but not traveling to an Australian port will be asked to provide information on a voluntary basis. "At a time when all of us are conscious of threats to security, from people and drug smugglers, and terrorist organizations, seeking this information is not unreasonable," Goff said.

He said New Zealand already cooperated closely with Australia on surveillance in the region, including illegal fishing and people and drug trafficking. "We would have no problems in broadening that cooperation."

"With respect to restricting movements, or the interception and boarding of ships, this issue is covered under the international Law of the Sea," Goff said.

Goff said Australia, New Zealand and other countries are bound to operate under international law and this should not be an issue.

"I am advised that Australia is not seeking to alter or extend its jurisdiction over sea travel. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

guarantees freedom of navigation on the high seas, beyond 200 nautical miles of a country."

Goff said he would discuss with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on this and other issues during their six-monthly bilateral meeting to be held on Waiheke Island in Auckland this weekend.

Source: Xinhua