Yemen launches radar stations in Gulf of Aden

ADEN, June 27 (Saba)- Yemen continues efforts to limit piracy and
smuggling human beings and drugs via its coasts in the Gulf of Aden
sector.

Minister of Transport Khaled al-Wazir, along with Deputy Interior
Minister Saleh Azza'rori and Italian ambassador in Sana'a Mario
Bofo, launched last week radar stations in the Gulf of Aden's
Coast Guards Authority.

The stations include improved techniques contain radar observation
stations, call for help system and ship acquaintance system, in
addition to developed telecommunication system and air metrological
stations.

The Radar Stations Project is composed of four phases to be able to
cover all Yemeni coasts with total cost of € 20 million provided to
Yemen as soft loan from Italian government. Every station can cover
42 km.

In inauguration ceremony, Minister of Transport Khaled al-Wazir
indicated the first phase of the Ship Services Project, started
three years ago, reflects cooperation between governments of Yemen
and Italy. The project provides anti-piracy services and maritime
security and safety. It works on limiting drugs trafficking
considering Yemen a basic partner in fighting piracy and securing
international waterways.

He made it clear that improving ship services comes as an
implementation of international treaty for protection of marine
lives, 1978, indicating improving coast guards authority's work will
work on securing navigation and protecting marine lives and
environment, coasts and other marine locations.

The minister touched upon the significant of modern technology of
these stations in securing navigation, fighting terrorism, limiting
piracy, drugs trafficking and illegal transportation via sea. He
highlighted achievements of coast guards forces during the past
short period since establishing it due to strategic location of
Yemen.

He highlighted support provided by Italian government to Yemen to
carry out this important project which confirms developing of
Yemeni- Italian relations through ages.

"Yemen suffers more from economic burdens due to increase of piracy
coming from Somali coasts due to instability in this country," said
the minister.

Meanwhile, deputy interior minister Hasan Azawa'ri affirmed
importance of coast surveillance system on navigation in Yemen's
regional waters. He indicated that this vital project represents
real embodiment of aspects of cooperation and coordination between
the two governments.

He highlighted support of Italian government to improve performance
of coast guards by providing the authority technical equipments and
training its staff.

For his part, Italian ambassador affirmed Yemeni- Italian historical
relations started in 1926 and witnessing continuous development. He
affirmed also his government's support to Yemen considering
launching radar stations as a fruit of mutual cooperation.

He highlighted Yemen's unity saying, it represents basic foundation
to security and stability of the region.

"Italian government sees in Yemen's stability and protecting its
unity necessary issue to security and stability on regional and
international level due to geographical location the country
enjoys," he said.

Earlier, Chairman of Yemeni Coast Guards Authority Ali Rase'a stated
that launching the first part of the first stage of securing Yemeni
ports and international navigation by installing radar stations is
in line with prepared plan to this purpose to secure regional waters
against outlaw acts.

The radar stations are three installed in Jabal Ain in Attuwahi
area, Ma'asheeq in Crater and training center in Khour Maksar. They
are all linked to control center located in the authority's
management in Mualla to be linked to coast guards authority in
Sana'a. They are controlled by microwave network.