S.Amdt. 1743

1. Adds SEC. 1232. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE NAVAL AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STATION at the end of subtitle C of title XII

   Adds a section

   In S. 1390 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (D) providing a comprehensive assessment of how the performance of the particular measure of progress hinders or enhances the overall performance toward achieving strategic objectives of the United States in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

   Inserted: SEC. 1232. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE NAVAL AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STATION.

   Inserted: (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:

   Inserted: (1) The United States recognized the need for improving maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea by implementing the Naval Africa Partnership Station.

   Inserted: (2) According to the International Maritime Bureau, piracy around the world doubled in the first 6 months of 2009 as compared to the first 6 months of 2008, to 114 from 240 incidents.

   Inserted: (3) The rise in attacks is mainly due to piracy off the coast of the Horn of Africa, specifically in the Gulf of Aden, with attacks originating from Somalia doubling since 2007.

   Inserted: (4) With more than 30,000 vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden each year, these attacks are taking place in a vast area of more than 1,000,000 square nautical miles.

   Inserted: (5) Instability and piracy from Somalia affects not only neighboring African countries such as Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya, but also affects the international community due to the increased insecurity of the region and terrorizing ships in the highly transited Gulf of Aden.

   Inserted: (6) African countries have become more vulnerable as Al Qaeda has infiltrated into the Horn of Africa threatening the stability in the region and fueling international terrorist growth and activities. It has been reported that terrorists' networks in Somalia, Eritrea, and the Ogaden region of Ethiopia are working together and increasing their capability.

   Inserted: (7) The Naval Africa Partnership Station is working collaboratively with agencies and organizations from Africa, the United States, and Europe to provide naval security for coastal nations in West and Central Africa and in the Gulf of Guinea.

   Inserted: (8) The Naval Africa Partnership Station launched its first mission in November 2007. Since that time, the Station has trained thousands of military personnel in security operation, search and rescue operations, law enforcement, medical skills, and maritime maintenance.

   Inserted: (9) These programs have proved to be vital resources in aiding developing countries in the professionalization of their militaries, fighting terrorism, and providing resources for emergency situations.

   Inserted: (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States should continue to develop and support the Naval Africa Partnership Station by ensuring adequate funding and resources to promote national security interests of the United States and maritime safety and security in Africa.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle C of title XII, add the following:

Read automatically from the Congressional Record. Check the original before relying on it.

As printed