NATO operation 'halves' illegal migration

Operation Active Endeavour, a NATO naval task force in the Mediterranean, has curtailed illegal migration by half and improved maritime security to the extent that insurance premiums for merchant shipping have dropped by 20 per cent, Captain Charles Stuppard of the USS Arleigh Burke said yesterday.

The US guided missile destroyer is in Grand Harbour until Wednesday. During its stay in Malta Captain Stuppard will hand over command to Commander Esther Maclair.

The Arleigh Burke was recently involved in the 100th boarding by a NATO force, when a boat carrying 10 illegal migrants was intercepted off Alexandria. The men on board were found to be carrying passports without names or without photos.

Active Endeavour was created as part of NATO's response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Its aims to deter and prevent terrorism, especially in the Mediterranean. Participating countries include non-NATO states, such as Russia.

Captain Stuppard said that although Malta was not a NATO member, it was benefiting greatly from the operation through the curbing of illegal migration and better security across Mediterranean sea routes.

In the past four years, NATO forces have monitored over 75,000 vessels and boarded some 100 suspect ships in the Mediterranean as part of Active Endeavour. The surveillance operation uses ship, aircraft and submarine assets to build a picture of maritime activity in the region.

Boarding operations started in 2003 to enhance the effectiveness of operations against suspected terrorist activities in the Mediterranean.

Vessels forming part of the task force regularly escort merchant shipping, particularly in the Straits of Gibraltar, seen as a potential terrorist target. They have also been involved in several rescue operations.

Captain Stuppard said it was his choice to hand over command in Malta. In his 21 years in the navy, he said, he had heard great stories about Malta and he had always wanted to come here. He had been told that this is "the closest you can get to paradise".

His wife Nidda and his brother Franz, whom he has not seen since November, are joining him in Malta.