Carat Boosts Brunei-US Defence Ties
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2006 (Carat 2006), an exercise between Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and United States Navy to develop maritime interception and information-sharing capabilities in the fight against trans-national threats, commenced yesterday at the Royal Brunei Navy headquarters in Muara.

Commander of Royal Brunei Navy Dato Paduka Haji Joharie bin Hj Metussin, in his welcoming address, said, "This year's exercise has progressed towards a maritime interdiction concept and joint situational awareness and information through various symposiums and presentations."

Besides RBAF, the exercise also involves other law enforcement agencies under His Majesty's Government such as RBAF's Marine Police, the Fishery Department and the Royal Customs and Excise Department, said the commander.

The involvement of various agencies is an important step towards sharing of ideas and knowledge in law enforcement, which is in line with the rapidly changing trend that has affected both regional and international security in recent years, he said, adding that the dimension of security has broadened with the emergence of new transnational challenges such as terrorism and illegal movement of drugs, finance and weapons.

"The region is vulnerable to the global threat of terrorism. Therefore, it is important to establish regional and international bilateral cooperation, especially in law enforcement, through reviewing and enhancing of mechanisms, deepening cooperation among frontline agencies, exchanging of intelligence, and developing capacity building programmes."

He also said, "Royal Brunei Armed Forces is committed to working alongside the United Nations and other forces under various command arrangements such as humanitarian support and confidence building operations."

The commander hoped that apart from providing professional interactions and exchanges of ideas, "this exercise would encourage social interactions and strengthen ties between RBAF and US Navy personnel, and above all, a resemblance of strong cordial relations between the two agencies".

Also present during yesterday's ceremony were Commander Rear Admiral William R Burke, US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Mr Emil M. Skodon and Commander Captain Alfred Collins as well as senior officials font RBAF and US Navy.

Carat is a series of bilateral military exercises between Southeast Asian countries and the United States.

Five US Navy ships - USS Crommelin. USS Salvor, USS Tortuga, USS Hopper, and USCGC Sherman - from the seventh US Pacific Flee' are taking part in the Carat 2006 with RBAF. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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