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Alexander Downer News

08 Nov 2005

Experts say Cruiselines Defend Security Plans

AP reported that was the real-life situation the crew and passengers of the Seabourn Spirit found themselves in off Somalia last weekend. With piracy common in some areas and terrorism fears present after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, cruise lines say they train their crews and have security measures to respond effectively to these threats. But security experts say that despite all the preparations, cruise liners are vulnerable to attacks like this one or the deadly bombing by al-Qaeda-linked militants of the USS Cole in Yemen five years ago. Cruise industry officials said the Spirit's successful efforts to repel the attackers validate security plans that all ships must have in place under U.S. and international law.

30 Apr 2001

China Wages Territorial Battle With Australia

China lodged a complaint with Australia after three Australian naval vessels moving through the Taiwan Straits were challenged by the Chinese navy, a spokesman for Australia's foreign affairs minister said. A Chinese navy vessel told three Australian ships moving through the straits earlier this month that they were in territorial waters. However, the Australian vessels said they were exercising their right to free navigation in accordance with the laws of the sea and continued. The spokesman for minister Alexander Downer said the Chinese had raised an official protest with Australia about the transit. "We maintain that our ships were always abiding by their rights under the law of the sea," the spokesman said.