US spends $100 million to help four ASEAN countries increase maritime security

The United States announced yesterday that it has quadrupled aid to Vietnam and three other ASEAN countries to boost maritime law enforcement capacity.

The US littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) on a mission in the South China Sea. Photo: USNavy

"The initiative at this point represents over $100 million in US maritime law enforcement assistance to these four countries," AFP quoted US Assistant Secretary of State William Brownfield as saying yesterday in a telephone press conference from Washington DC, a week after visiting Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The four countries included in the initiative are Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia.

The aid builds on an initial $25 million commitment announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry in December 2013. "We're not stupid. We know there are other issues that arise in the region, but our support is focused on maritime law enforcement," he added.

“Our cooperation will ensure that the Vietnam Coast Guard, like all other countries, has the right equipment to carry out maritime missions,” SCMP quoted Mr Brownfield as saying. “You need the ability to go out there where the law is being broken, where there is illegal fishing by smugglers, or people who are stealing national resources.”

Mr. Browfield also said that this initiative is "completely transparent"./.

According to VnExpress