nato & japanese forces in horn of africa..

Starting no later than September of 2009 NATO commanders have visited and in essence established a headquarters in Somalias autonomous Puntland state. Last autumn British Commodore Steve Chick, commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, met with Puntland authorities on board the HMS Cornwall. The talks ended successfully with NATO and Puntland officials agreeing to cooperate in combating pirates operating along the Somali coast. [26]

This January Admiral Pereira da Cunha, commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, hosted Puntland officials on the Portuguese flagship Alvares Cabral, and the meeting focused on human intelligence gathering, capacity building and counter piracy cooperation between NATO and Puntland authorities.

NATOhas established a close working relationship with the Puntland Coastguard.This is just a start. With 60 years of experience and coalition building, NATO is well placed to make things happen. [27]

In March ministers of the Puntland government met with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 commander Commodore Steve Chick on board the HMS Chatham, current flagship of the NATO naval group in the region. The talks covered ways in which further cooperation between NATO and the Puntland authorities could be developed in the future. [28]

According to a Puntland news source, NATOs activities arent limited to operations in the waters off Somalia: NATO has a working relationship with Puntland authorities in a bid to enhance its fight against the piracy scourge along the lawless waters of the Horn of Africa. Puntland has offered its help in terms of dealing with the gangs in the mainland. [29]

Full Story..

When Empires join Hands; Japanese Military Joins U.S.and Nato in Horn of Africa..

www.globalresearch.ca