OBAMA COMMITTED TO PURSUIT OF TERRORISTS

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT

Obama: U.S. Will Continue to Pursue Terrorists Overseas

By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2013 - Just days after U.S. forces carried out raids in Libya and Somalia to bring wanted terrorists to justice, President Barack Obama made clear today the United States will continue to carry out similar strikes overseas as long as threats to the nation exist.

Obama made the comments two days after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced the military had seized al-Qaida member Abu Anas al Libi during an operation in Libya. Libi has been indicted in New York in connection with the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.

"We know that Mr. al-Libi planned and helped execute plots that killed hundreds of people, a whole lot of Americans," Obama said in response to a question at a White House news conference that dealt almost entirely with his call for Congress to end the government shutdown and raise the nation's debt limit.

In a separate raid Oct. 4 in Somalia, U.S. military personnel carried out a targeted operation against Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, also known as "Ikrima," identified as a top commander of the al-Qaida affiliated al-Shabaab terrorist group. A Pentagon spokesman said that operation did not lead to Ikrima's capture.

"Where you've got active plots and active networks, we're going to go after them," Obama said, referring to terrorists and others who pose risks to the United States. He said the quick-strike military operations carried out by U.S forces in Libya and Somalia do not signal the opening of a new war against terrorism.

"There is a difference between us going after terrorists who are plotting directly to do damage to the United States and us being involved in wars," and made reference to an address he delivered in May in which he said the United States will continue to dismantle networks that pose a direct danger to the country.

"The risks of terrorism and terrorist networks are going to continue for some time," Obama told reporters today, and added that a long-term plan is needed to prevent unemployed and uneducated young men from becoming radicalized.

"We've got to engage in a war of ideas in the region and engage with Muslim countries and try to isolate radical elements that are doing more danger to Muslims than they are doing to anybody else," he said.

A Pentagon spokesman said Libi is being detained under the law of war in a secure location outside Libya. Obama said today that he will be brought to justice.

The president added words of praise for the service members involved in the operations.

"The operations that took place both in Libya and Somalia were examples of the extraordinary skill and dedication and talent of our men and women in the armed forces," he said. "They do their jobs extremely well, with great precision, at great risk to themselves."
 

QUARTERLY UPDATE: PIRATES OFF SOMALIA'S COAST

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia: Quarterly Update
Fact Sheet
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
July 18, 2013

The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia was created on January 14, 2009 pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1851. This voluntary ad hoc international forum brings together over 80 countries, organizations, and industry groups with a shared interest in combating piracy. Chaired in 2013 by the United States, the Contact Group coordinates political, military, and non-governmental efforts to tackle piracy off the coast of Somalia, ensure that pirates are brought to justice, and support regional states to develop sustainable maritime security capabilities. The European Union will assume the chairmanship in 2014.

Through its five thematic working groups, the Contact Group draws on a wide range of international expertise and adopts a problem-solving approach to piracy, working closely with Somali officials from the central government and regional administrations and officials in Indian Ocean States. Working Group 1, chaired by the United Kingdom, focuses on operational naval coordination, information sharing, and capacity building; Working Group 2, chaired by Denmark, addresses legal and judicial issues; Working Group 3, chaired by the Republic of Korea, works closely with the shipping industry to enhance awareness and build capabilities among seafarers transiting the region; Working Group 4, chaired by Egypt, aims at raising public awareness of the dangers of piracy; and Working Group 5, chaired by Italy, focuses on disrupting the pirate criminal enterprise ashore, including the illicit financial flows associated with maritime piracy.

This unique international partnership is contributing to a significant decline in piracy off the Horn of Africa. The last successful pirate attack on a merchant vessel in the region occurred on May 10, 2012.

Recent Developments

On July 9, the governments of The Bahamas and the United States signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their joint handling of Somali piracy cases where U.S. forces capture individuals suspected of attacks on Bahamian flagged-ships. This MOU between a major flag state (The Bahamas has the fifth largest merchant fleet in the world) and a major force provider in counter-piracy operations marks a significant step forward in international cooperation. The CGPCS Chair urges states with similar interests (whether as flag state or force provider) to consider similar agreements that serve to formalize and streamline the disposition of piracy cases.

Piracy Trials and Prosecution Support

• On July 8, a federal jury in Norfolk, Virginia convicted three Somali pirates of the 2011 murder of four Americans aboard the yacht QUEST off the coast of East Africa; sentencing proceedings will begin later in July. Eleven of the pirates who attacked the QUEST pleaded guilty in federal court in 2011 and were given life sentences. The onshore negotiator working for the pirates also received multiple life sentences.

• On June 10, a Kenyan court sentenced nine Somali citizens each to five years in prison after finding them guilty of violently hijacking the MV MAGELLAN STAR in the Gulf of Aden in September 2010. The court issued the relatively short prison terms in recognition of time served.

• On July 2, seven suspected pirates apprehended by U.S. forces in February 2009 were convicted in Kenya for the attempted hijacking of the MV POLARIS and sentenced to four years imprisonment.

• The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provided a Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED) to Tanzanian authorities in support of that country’s two ongoing piracy trials. The UFED enables the Tanzanian police’s Cyber Crime Unit to develop its capability to extract information from the phones of suspected pirates and those suspected of other transnational organized crimes.

Apprehensions at Sea

• On June 5, EU Naval Force warship HSwMS CARLSKRONA and NATO counter-piracy Dutch warship HNLMS VAN SPEJIK rescued fourteen Indian sailors after Somali pirates abandoned their captured dhow in the Gulf of Aden

Prisoner Transfers

• In Seychelles, the UNODC supported talks for the next round of prisoner transfers to Somaliland and Puntland. A total of 23 convicted Somali piracy prisoners consented to be transferred immediately, while two elected to wait for their appeals to be heard. UNODC also supported arrangements for the return of one Somali juvenile to his family after completing his sentence for piracy and subject to his informed consent, as well as funding of defense lawyers for the last group of nine suspected pirates detained by EUNAVFOR.

Meetings

• Working Group 2 held its twelfth meeting on April 10-11 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Discussion focused on three areas: 1) prosecution and in-depth review of current legal challenges and solutions, including with regard to human rights issues, 2) implementation of the post trial-transfer system and prosecution, including the legal framework for prosecuting piracy organizers and the handling of child pirates, and 3) use of privately contracted armed security personnel and Vessel Protection Detachments.

• Working Group 5 held its meeting on April 12 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants agreed to the Ten Key Principles in Information Sharing for Identifying and Prosecuting Pirates, which recognizes the need for international information sharing, cooperation and coordination to effectively identify and prosecute pirate financiers and facilitators. WG 5 Chair’s report indicated it has made great strides in identifying pirate networks and the identity of financiers and facilitators.

• On May 1, the Contact Group held its 14th plenary session, chaired by the United States, at UN Headquarters in New York. In videotaped remarks, Somali President Mohamud condemned piracy and announced a new national maritime resources and security strategy for Somalia, which was welcomed by the Contact Group and received international endorsement at the Somalia Conference in London on May 7., along with pledges of further support to Somalia. Moving forward, the Contact Group agreed to focus on four cross-cutting areas in addition to the work of its five working groups: communication, collaboration with related programs, strengthened legal efforts to disrupt networks ashore, and proactive discussion of policy issues associated with the use of armed security on commercial ships. Djibouti will host a Counter-Piracy Week November 10-14, culminating in in the Contact Group’s 15th plenary session.

• On May 2, the Contact Group and the Colorado-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) co-sponsored a symposium in New York entitled “Creating Economic Opportunities for Somalia.” The symposium focused on the emerging climate for economic development in Somalia.

• On June 27, Working Group 1 met in Nairobi, for the second consecutive in the Horn of Africa region. This meeting complemented the latest round of meetings of the Kampala Process, at which representatives from the Somali Federal Government, Somaliland, Puntland and Galmudug came together with international partners to progress the detail underpinning the Somali maritime security and resource strategy endorsed at the 14th plenary session. The WG1 meeting also covered several further topics including an operational naval update with discussion on the high risk area, information sharing between capacity-building stakeholders, a status update on work to coordinate international actors’ capacity building activity through the WG1 Capacity Building Coordination Group and web-based tool, and a series of briefs from EU colleagues on the status of their regional capacity building efforts.

Significant developments

• The Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecution and Intelligence Coordination Centre formally opened for business with the joint signing in February of the Partnership Agreement between the UK and the Republic of Seychelles, adopting an operating model in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Treaty on Trans-national Organised Crime. Following the inaugural signings, Australia, INTERPOL, The Netherlands, and the United States have signed formal Partnership Agreements, with additional agreements expected in the coming months. RAPPICC continues to build close relationships with the European External Action Service, the Indian Ocean Commission and the International Maritime Organisation in order to enhance closer-working with regard to capacity-building.

• The European Commission announced that it will provide USD $59 million to several Eastern and Southern African countries to help fight maritime piracy in Africa. The new EU Regional Maritime Security program will include assistance for legal and judicial system development to assist authorities with prosecuting suspected pirates, as well as material logistic support to help improve regional maritime surveillance. The program will also help fund anti-piracy awareness campaigns in areas where piracy is prevalent, particularly Somalia.

• The Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of Somalia approved a package of five projects worth $2 million in support of anti-piracy efforts in Somalia and other affected States in the region. The projects will support piracy trial efficiency, detainee repatriation, skills training for detainees, equipment to monitor fisheries resources, and capabilities to investigate illicit financial flows.

• The UNODC’s Counter Piracy Programme held a planning conference with the future managers of the new Garowe prison for convicted pirates transferred home from the States where they were tried. Junior prison staff training began in June and will continue until opening day. UNODC also supports the Prisons Commissioner in developing the management structure, routines, and orders for prison operation.

• In Hargeisa, Somaliland, the UNODC-funded education and skills training work for piracy and other prisoners continues to make progress. The prisoners are being taught to weld, make bricks and tailor school and prison uniforms. The prisoners skills have allowed the authorities to open the final block with improved facilities and security arrangement. The prison authorities have identified areas where the items can be displayed and sold to the public. As well as providing skills for the prisoners, this work allows the authorities to raise revenue to assist with the feeding and other running costs of the prison.

• Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) released its new report The Human Cost of Piracy. OBP also published a study entitled Burden-sharing Multi-level Governance: A Study of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. The authors conclude the Contact Group “will be a useful model for collective efforts that address problems requiring fast and adaptive responses to changing situations on the ground, and on issues where power imbalances between actors will not scuttle the collaborative execution of collective goals.”

Hostages in custody

Sinking of the pirated M/V ALBEDO. On July 8, the pirated Malaysian-flagged and –owned M/V ALBEDO sank at anchor off the coast of Haradhere, Somalia, endangering the lives of both hostages and their captors; reports of casualties are as yet unconfirmed. M/V ALBEDO was seized by pirates on November 26, 2010, and its 15 crewmembers held hostage since that date. This dangerous situation highlights the enduring humanitarian plight of abducted mariners, and the Contact Group calls upon hostage-takers in Somalia to immediately and unconditionally release the remaining innocent victims of maritime piracy.

At least 50 hostage seafarers remain in pirate custody. Only F/V NAHAM 3 is still held by pirates; M/V ALBEDO sank at anchor off Haradhere on July 8, 2013, and urgent efforts are underway to ascertain the whereabouts of the crew.

15 hostages from M/V ALBEDO
28 on F/V NAHAM 3 (Oman-flagged), hijacked March 26, 2012
4 held since April 18, 2010 from PRANTALAY 12 and 7 held since April 16, 2011 from M/V ASPHALT VENTURE

U.S. CONGRATULATES PEOPLE OF DJIBOUTI ON THEIR NATIONAL DAY

FROM: U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY
Djibouti's National Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
June 26, 2013
　

On behalf of the government and the people of the United States, I extend my warmest wishes to the government and people of Djibouti on your National Day, June 27.


Djibouti has been a staunch supporter of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. I am proud of the work we have both undertaken to support Somalia's political transition and our ongoing security cooperation through the African Union Mission in Somalia.

In pursuing our shared counterterrorism and security goals, we present a formidable, unified front against extremist threats in the region.

The United States is committed to helping Djibouti improve health services, expand education, and build responsive governing institutions.

I look forward to greater partnership in your 36th year of independence.

U.S. STATEMENT ON "WORLD REFUGEE DAY"

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

World Refugee Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
June 20, 2013　


Today, the United States joins the international community in honoring the resilience, courage, and determination of refugees all over the world, and the work of many countries in providing refuge, both temporary and permanent.

This year, the crisis in Syria has led to more than 4.25 million Syrians being displaced internally, more than 1.5 million becoming refugees, and millions more caught up in the unspeakable violence. Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey have opened their borders to those fleeing the bloodshed. We appreciate their generosity in hosting uprooted people and families, whether in refugee camps or local communities, and are proud that the United States is at the forefront of international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance.

The United States is the single largest donor to refugee relief efforts around the world, working to care for refugees displaced by other conflicts, including in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and Sudan, and we have helped address protracted refugee situations around the world, including those affecting Afghans, Burmese, Colombians, and Somalis.

We have seen some progress this year, thanks to the hard work and commitment of diplomats and aid workers everywhere, including staff of the organizations we support, such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and many nongovernmental organizations. In 2012, two of the most protracted refugee situations in Africa came to a close, with Liberia and Angola now stable after bitter civil wars. We have also taken extra steps to ensure greater protection for refugees against sexual violence and exploitation.

The United States has a proud tradition of welcoming those fleeing violence and persecution, including more than 58,000 refugees from 66 countries who were resettled to the United States in fiscal year 2012 and the nearly 70,000 refugees who are expected to arrive in the United States in the coming fiscal year to rebuild their lives. Their presence makes our country more diverse, our culture richer, and our national character stronger.

U.S. SAYS FREEING OF JOURNALIST BY SOMALIA SUPREME COURT STRENGTHENS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

FROM: U.S STATE DEPARTMENT
Somalia Supreme Court Frees Journalist
Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 20, 2013

　

The United States welcomes the Somali Supreme Court's March 17 decision overturning the conviction of Somali journalist Abdiasis Abdinur Ibrahim for interviewing a woman who alleged rape by Somali security forces. We are hopeful that this ruling, along with earlier statements of Somalia’s President and Prime Minister expressing concern over the original verdict, will help strengthen protection of freedom of expression in Somalia, as guaranteed by the provisional federal constitution. The United States continues to support the Government of Somalia as it develops and strengthens transparent and accountable institutions to protect human rights, including women's rights and freedom of expression, as part of its efforts to promote peace and democracy.

PRESIDENT OBAMA SUBMITS DEPLOYMENT REPORT TO CONGRESS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Submits Deployment Report to Congress

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2012 - As part of executive branch efforts to keep the U.S. Congress and the American people informed about the activities of the U.S. military, and consistent with the War Powers Resolution, President Barack Obama submitted a report to Congress today about deployments of the U.S. armed forces, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

"This report contains information about U.S. military deployments to Afghanistan, Central Africa, and Kosovo," Little said in a statement issued today. The report also makes clear that the U.S. military is engaged in a robust range of operations to target al-Qaida and associated forces, including those in Somalia and Yemen.

In Somalia, the U.S. military has taken direct action against members of al-Qaida, and al-Qaida associated elements of al-Shabaab, Little said. In Yemen, he said the U.S. military has engaged with the Yemeni government in joint efforts to dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, an active and dangerous al-Qaida affiliate.

"In all cases we are focused on those al-Qaida members and affiliates who pose a direct threat to the United States and to our national interests," Little said, adding that the report contains information about these operations and their growing significance in the overall U.S. counterterrorism effort.

"Going forward, the American people should know that we will do what is necessary to defend our country against those who would threaten us," Little said.

U.S. CONCERNED WITH HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY IN HORN OF AFRICA

FROM U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Increase in U.S. Funding to Drought Relief in the Horn of Africa
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 5, 2012
The United States continues to be deeply concerned by the humanitarian emergency in the Horn of Africa, and particularly the hard-hit Somali population. Despite the end of famine conditions in February, nearly 10 million people in the region still require humanitarian assistance. For this reason, the United States Government is providing an additional nearly $50 million in aid for refugees and drought-affected communities in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya in addition to what we have already provided. As Secretary Clinton announced April 3rd, since early in 2011 "the United States has provided almost $1 billion in humanitarian assistance that has saved countless lives from malnutrition, starvation, and disease. And our sustained commitment has demonstrated the best of America, helping to undermine the extremist narrative of terrorist groups like al-Shabaab in Somalia."

The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) stated April 3, 2012 that the March-May rains in the eastern Horn of Africa will not be adequate. Poor rains would likely negatively affect food security in a region still recovering from a devastating drought and famine in 2011. The United States remains committed to breaking the cycle of hunger and famine in the Horn of Africa and to this end will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and call on others to join it in supporting the UN's $1.5 billion 2012 Consolidated Appeal for Somalia. This appeal is currently funded at only $179 million. We encourage all donors to take additional steps to tackle both immediate assistance needs and strengthen capacity in the region to mitigate future crises.

In addition to our emergency assistance, the United States is leading efforts to address the root causes of hunger and food insecurity by improving agricultural systems in the Horn of Africa under the Feed the Future initiative. As part of these efforts, yesterday in Nairobi, Kenya USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah participated in a high-level forum on strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities to drought in the Horn of Africa. The forum brings together African and international development leaders who are committed to working together in new ways to prevent future humanitarian crises related to drought.