US to help Mozambique protect coastline

As Rough As It May Seem,It's Still Steady As You Go...


The commanding officer of the first American war ship to dock in Maputo for 30 years pledged on Wednesday that the United States navy stood ready to help Mozambique protect its coastline.

"We are in Mozambique to discuss with the local military authorities the possibility of establishing a partnership with a view to assisting the national navy to protect its territorial waters and coasts," Commander Dean Vesely told AFP.

Under the partnership, the US navy will coordinate with the Mozambican authorities to combat drug trafficking, illegal fishing and any hostile military activity.

"Two years ago, we signed similar agreements with certain countries on the Atlantic coast and we would like to do the same thing with countries on the east of southern Africa," he said.




The frigate, USS Forrest Sherman, docked on Monday in Mozambique with 315 officers and 277 seamen on board for a one-week visit.

It is expected to leave Mozambique for South Africa.