HOMELAND SECURITY

Web page sponsored by

Global Security Asia

http://www.globalsecasia.com

The Global Security Asia Series addresses the fundamental issues of global terrorism. It is an international platform for Governments and Commercial Organisations to meet and share experiences and to also discuss the use of state-of the art technologies and equipment to combat terrorism. The Series will continue as a 3-day Event showcasing the latest technological solutions in Homeland Security covering areas of Security Screening, Biometrics, Land, Air and Sea Security, Internet and Computer Security, Intelligence and Training Methods, CBRN Threats, Surveillance and Security Risk Management. The Event will once again attract international experts and speakers from Governments, academia, research and industry drawn from Security and Intelligence Agencies and Security Consultants/Professionals to share experiences, knowledge and expertise in tackling the asymmetric problems facing us today.

16 Dec 08. The U.N. Security Council on Dec. 16 unanimously adopted a resolution for the first time authorizing international land operations against audacious, armed pirates sheltering in Somalia. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed the adoption of the U.S. resolution saying it sent a “strong signal to combat the scourge of piracy” and stressed the need “to end the impunity of Somali pirates.” The text, co-sponsored by Belgium, France, Greece, Liberia and South Korea, gives those nations already involved in battling pirates off Somalia a one-year mandate to act against the brigands inside the country. Resolution 1851 authorizes the states to “take all necessary measures that are appropriate in Somalia” to suppress “acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea.” However, to overcome objections from countries such as Indonesia an earlier reference in the text to “ashore” or “including in its (Somalia) airspace” was
dropped. Increasingly emboldened, pirates have carried out more than 100 attacks in the key shipping lanes of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean since the start of this year. (Source: Defense News)

09 Dec 08. Australia appoints first national security adviser. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has abandoned an election pledge to establish a US-style Department of Homeland Security, instead appointing the country’s first ever national security adviser and forming a national intelligence and co-ordination committee responsible for collating foreign, defence, security and law enforcement intelligence. Delivering the inaugural national security statement to Parliament on 4 December, Rudd said the best solution for Australia was not another agency “but a new level of leadership, direction and co-ordination among the agencies we already have”. (Source: Jane’s, JDW)

16 Dec 08. Ministry Of The Interior Of Estonia Orders A Third AW139 Helicopter. AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that on December 4th the Government of Estonia gave approval for the Ministry of the Interior of Estonia to sign a contract with AgustaWestland for the purchase of a third AW139 helicopter. This aircraft will be delivered in the last quarter 2010 and operated by the Border Guard to perform search and rescue, medical evacuation and border patrol duties. This third AW139 will be based at Kuressaare Airport (Saaremaa Island), from 2011 when a new base will be opened, that will allow faster coverage in the Western area of Estonia. Meanwhile the second AW139 was delivered in early December and is based in Tallinn together with the first aircraft.

13 Dec 08. Indian navy ‘captures 23 pirates’. The Indian navy says it has arrested 23 Somali and Yemeni pirates who tried to storm a ship in the Gulf of Aden. A navy spokesman said it had responded to a mayday call from MV Gibe, flying under the Ethiopian flag. Several countries have warships patrolling the gulf amid growing international concern about piracy. Meanw