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Skriven 2007-06-14 23:47:42 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0706143) for Thu, 2007 Jun 14
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Memorandum from the President
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 14, 2007

Memorandum from the President

ÿÿWhite House News


MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT

THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF STAFF
DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR HOMELAND SECURITYÿÿAND COUNTERTERRORISM
DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER

SUBJECT: Maritime Security (Piracy) Policy

The attached Policy for the Repression of Piracy and Other Criminal Acts of
Violence at Sea (Piracy Policy) is approved for immediate implementation,
consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations. The policy shall be appended to the National Strategy for
Maritime Security as Annex B.

This policy responds to the emergence of high-risk maritime areas that
threaten U.S. interests. Recent instances of piracy have highlighted the
need for this policy in order to coordinate U.S. Government response and to
promote international solutions. This policy advances our commitment to
cooperate with other states, regional and international organizations, and
the maritime industry in order to counter this threat. The United States
has long been a leader in the protection of navigational rights and
freedoms. Our objectives consistently have been to promote and facilitate
peaceful international uses of the oceans. We recognize that all nations
have an interest and responsibility in protecting those rights and
freedoms.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

Attachment Tab 1 Policy for the Repression of Piracy and Other Criminal
Acts of Violence at Sea

Annex B
Policy for the Repression of Piracy andother Criminal Acts of Violence at
Sea

ÿ

I. PURPOSE

This document establishes United States Government policy and
implementation actions to cooperate with other states and international and
regional organizations in the repression of piracy and other criminal acts
of violence against maritime navigation.[1]

II. BACKGROUND

Piracy is any illegal act of violence, detention, or depredation committed
for private ends by the crew, or the passengers, of a private ship and
directed against a ship, aircraft, persons, or property on the high seas or
in any other place outside the jurisdiction of any state.ÿ Piracy also
includes inciting or facilitating an act of piracy, and any act of
voluntary participation in the operation of a ship with knowledge of facts
making it a pirate ship.ÿ Piracy is a universal crime, and all states are
obligated to cooperate to the fullest possible extent in the repression of
piracy.[2]ÿ

Piracy threatens U.S. national security interests and the freedom and
safety of maritime navigation throughout the world, undermines economic
security, and contributes to the destabilization of weak or failed state
governance.ÿ The combination of illicit activity and violence at sea might
also be associated with other maritime challenges, including illegal,
unlawful, and unregulated fishing, international smuggling, and
terrorism.ÿÿÿÿ

Criminal and terrorist activities not defined as piracy also occur at sea
and similarly threaten U.S. economic and national security interests.ÿ
These acts of violence endanger the safety of maritime navigation and may
involve weapons of mass destruction.ÿ The prevention, interdiction, and
punishment of those acts occurring in territorial seas are generally the
responsibility of the coastal state.ÿ Prevention and punishment of acts
occurring in international waters likely will require international
cooperation and adequate domestic legal systems, most recently reflected in
the 2005 Protocols to the 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful
Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and the Protocol for the
Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms located
on the Continental Shelf.ÿ

The policy set forth in this annex fosters both increased interagency
coordination and international cooperation and is consistent with,
supports, and builds upon existing maritime security efforts for piracy
repression.

III.ÿÿÿÿÿÿ POLICY

The United States strongly supports efforts to repress piracy and other
criminal acts of violence against maritime navigation.ÿ The physical and
economic security of the United States -- a major global trading nation
with interests across the maritime spectrum -- relies heavily on the secure
navigation of the world_s oceans for unhindered legitimate commerce by its
citizens and its partners.ÿ Piracy and other acts of violence against
maritime navigation endanger sea lines of communication, interfere with
freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce, and undermine regional
stability.

Piracy endangers maritime interests on a global scale, and the
responsibility for countering this threat does not belong exclusively to
the United States.ÿ Consequently, the United States will engage states and
international and regional organizations to develop greater resources,
capacity, and authorities to repress piracy and maximize inclusion of
coalition assets in piracy repression operations.ÿ

Piracy repression should include diplomatic, military, intelligence,
economic, law enforcement, and judicial actions.ÿ Effectively responding to
piracy and criminal activity sends an important deterrent message and
requires coordination by all departments and agencies of the U.S.
Government in order to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice
in a timely manner.

It is the policy of the United States to repress piracy, consistent with
U.S. law and international obligations, and to cooperate with other nations
in repressing piracy through the following actions:
  þ Prevent pirate attacks and other criminal acts of violence against U.S.
    vessels, persons, and interests;
  þ Interrupt and terminate acts of piracy consistent with international
    law and the rights and responsibilities of coastal and flag states;
  þ Reduce the vulnerability of the maritime domain to such acts and
    exploitation when U.S. interests are directly affected;
  þ Ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for
    their actions by facilitating the prosecution of suspected pirates and
    ensure that persons suspected of committing acts of violence against
    maritime navigation are similarly held accountable by flag and littoral
    states and, in appropriate cases, the United States;
  þ Preserve the freedom of the seas, including high seas freedoms;
  þ Protect sea lines of communication; and
  þ Continue to lead and support international efforts to repress piracy
    and other acts of violence against maritime navigation and urge other
    states to take decisive action both individually and through
    international efforts.ÿ

Responses to these threats will vary according to geographic, political,
and legal environments.ÿ The scope of the mission and the defined nature of
the threat also will affect the choice of response.

IV.ÿIMPLEMENTATION

The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and the
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism shall
lead an interagency process to accomplish the following tasks:
  þ Incorporate this policy into the Maritime Operational Threat Response
    Plan (Protocols), as appropriate;
  þ Oversee the development of specific guidance and protocols for the
    prevention of and response by the United States Government to piracy
    and other acts of violence against the safety of maritime navigation;
  þ Review existing U.S. laws against or relating to piracy and prepare for
    consideration such amendments as may be necessary to enhance our
    ability to prosecute pirates in U.S. courts;[3] and
  þ Seek international cooperation, consistent with the International
    Outreach and Coordination Strategy of the National Strategy for
    Maritime Security, to enhance the ability of other states to repress
    piracy and other criminal acts of violence against maritime navigation
    and to support U.S. anti-piracy actions.
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[1] The National Security Strategy (2006) and the National Strategy for
Maritime Security identify these maritime threats.ÿ

[2]ÿ Articles 14-15, Convention on the High Seas (1958), and Articles
100-101, Law of the Sea Convention (1982).

[3] U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8; 18 USC 7(1) (Special Maritime
and Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States); 18ÿUSC 111 (Assault on
Federal Officials); 18 USC 113 (Assault on the high seas); 18 USC 371
(Conspiracy); 18 USC 844(i) (Use of explosive against property used in
foreign commerce of the United States or against any property used in an
activity affecting foreign commerce of the United States); 18 USC 1651
(Piracy on the high seas); 18 USC 1659 (plundering a ship); 18ÿUSC 2111
(Robbery on high seas); 18 USC 2280(a)(1)(A),(B), and/or (H) (Maritime
violence/hijacking of a ship); 18 USC 2232 (Assaults on U.S. nationals
overseas); 18 USC 2232a (Use of WMD against U.S. nationals outside of the
U.S.)

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