Investigation on hijacked Arctic Sea

I refer to Philip Grech's letter The Arctic Sea Investigation (August 25).

While we appreciate Mr Grech's concerns with the incident in question, it is not immediately clear whether Mr Grech has any specific credentials to pronounce himself so forcefully and with such certainty on a matter that has profound international law implications.

Mr Grech might have missed previous releases indicating that the incident is being handled, at a local level, by the maritime security committee composed of the AFM, the Malta Maritime Authority, the police, the security service and Customs and is chaired by the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications.

For the purposes of the Arctic Sea case, the advice and guidance of the Office of the Attorney General as well as that of a professor of law recognised internationally as an eminent expert in the field of international and maritime law, has also been sought and obtained, quite apart from the cooperation and joint investigation with other jurisdictions that have an interest in the case, directly through our presence abroad and that of other members of the security committee and also through the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We believe that all those who are really competent to give direction on the matter have been, and continue to be, involved.

Given the sensitivity of the case, the maritime security committee, within which the MMA participates actively in terms of its rights and obligations as the flag administration of this ship, has exercised and will continue to exercise all the prudence and caution that the circumstances of the matter warrant.