PANAMA
In 1998 a law was promulgated in Panama assigning responsibility for maritime safety to the Panama Maritime Authority. The two most important directorates under this Authority are the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine and the Directorate General of Ports and Maritime Auxiliary services. The Directorate General of Ports and Maritime Auxiliary Services is responsible for the inspection of ships passing through Panamanian waters.
All maritime incidents that occur in Panamanian port areas have to be reported to the Judicial Technical Police and the Public Ministry which have the responsibility for investigating such incidents.
No incidents of piracy have been reported in Panamanian waters but we are concerned at the number of attacks against Panamanian flag ships world-wide. Recently, a ship transiting the canal was boarded by a group of people protesting against canal charges. Eventhough this is not considered an act of piracy, the incident was reported to the Maritime Police, the Judicial Technical Police, and the Public Ministry for investigation. We consider the matter important because the administration of the canal will revert to Panama at the end of 1999 when Panama will be responsible for the security of ships transiting the canal. In anticipation of this, Panama has promulgated a law stipulating that at least 85% of people employed in the Panama Canal have to be Panamanians and that the taxes arising from the operation of the canal have to be invested in the improvement of the infrastructure, training and security.
SURINAME
Suriname, situated at the Northern Coast of South America, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with 2.5 inhabitants per sq km.
Although the country is rich in natural resources, its potential has not been fully exploited with the result that the country has difficulty in maintaining a well equipped and staffed Coast Guard to adequately patrol its coasts. Under the constitution, the armed forces can be deployed to assist the police in maintaining internal security including protection of the county's territorial seas and EEZ.
Suriname believes that piracy and armed robbery against ships can best be prevented through co-operation between neighbouring States and is therefore ready to play its part in this regard.
Until recently, coastal patrols cried out by Surinamese armed forces have been directed at tracing and apprehending illegal fishing boats, smugglers and drug traffickers. The security forces are however handicapped by lack of adequate equipment.
As a temporary solution, fishing vessels are made to carry marine personnel when they go to sea. This is not a satisfactory solution hence orders have been in place for a number of boats to be used exclusively by the Navy.
In the last year, a number of cases of piracy and armed robbery have been reported in Surinamese waters; mostly against local fishing vessels. Money and at times the entire catch have been stolen. Most of the pirates have so far escaped arrest because of the many tributaries into which they can disappear.
We expect the situation to improve next you when the marine forces acquire new equipment and are in a position to meet the challenge.
