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Secretary Rice
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23 November 2005
Rice Signs International Maritime Security Strategy, November 22, 2005 (U.S. aims to work with global partners on fighting terrorism, crime)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has approved a U.S. strategy to enhance maritime security worldwide.
In a November 22 media note, the Office of the State Department Spokesman said that the document signed by Rice in November is aimed at coordinating U.S. maritime security efforts with those of its international and private-sector partners and enhancing outreach to these partners to solicit support for an improved global maritime security framework.
In September, President Bush designated the secretary of state as the lead coordinator of U.S. maritime security activities when he approved the National Strategy for Maritime Security. The strategy is designed to prevent terrorists, criminals and hostile states from using the seas to commit terrorist, criminal or hostile acts against the United States and other countries.
An overview of the strategy is available on the White House Web site.
Following is the text of the media note:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 22, 2005
Media Note
International Coordination and Outreach Strategy to Enhance Maritime Security
On September 19, 2005, President George W. Bush approved the National Strategy for Maritime Security. The primary objective of the National Strategy is to "prevent the maritime domain from being used by terrorists, criminals, and hostile States to commit acts of terrorism and criminal or other unlawful or hostile acts against the United States, its people, economy, property, territory, allies, and friends." Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Federal agencies have aggressively addressed the challenge of maritime security. The National Strategy reflects the President's vision of a fully coordinated effort to safeguard U.S. global maritime interests.
The world's oceans and waterways are vital to the security and prosperity of the United States and the global economy. The international transportation system depends on these maritime highways to transport goods and materials around the world. Ships, submarines, and naval aviation remain key to our national defense.
Security of the maritime domain is a global issue. The United States cannot safeguard the maritime domain on its own. We must forge cooperative partnerships and alliances with other nations and with private stakeholders around the world. The President has designated the Secretary of State to lead coordination of U.S. maritime security activities with foreign governments and international organizations. The President further directed the Secretary to solicit international support for a strengthened global maritime security framework.
In response, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice this month signed an International Outreach and Coordination Strategy to Enhance Maritime Security, which establishes two strategic goals:
-- A coordinated policy for United States maritime security activities with foreign governments, international and regional organizations, and the private sector.
-- Enhanced outreach to foreign governments, international and regional organizations, and private sector partners to solicit support for an improved global maritime security framework.
That Strategy is now available at: <http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0758.xml>
The Department of State will coordinate closely with other departments and agencies to establish an early dialogue with international partners when developing maritime security policy initiatives, and will maintain regular contact to discuss implementation and ensure effectiveness. Foreign governments and industry officials will be provided consistent, coordinated United States positions on programs and initiatives related to maritime security.
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