MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM IN JORDAN
Amman, 11 June 2008
Dear Ambassador,
Taking note of the joint press release issued on 10 July 2007 by the International
Maritime Organization and the World Food Programme calling on concerted and co-ordinated
international action to address the threat of piracy and armed robbery against ships
in waters off the coast of Somalia amid growing concern about the perils it poses
for i.a. the delivery of humanitarian assistance, as well as Resolution A.1002 of
the International Maritime Organization dated 29th of November 2007.
Furthermore taking note of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, in
particular resolution 1816 adopted on 2 june 2008, mandating all Member States to
use all necessary means, in accordance with the resolution, to protect the delivery
of humanitarian assistance in the territorial waters of Somalia for a period of six
months and resolution 1772 (2007) adopted on 20 August 2007, both resolutions adopted
under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations in which the Security Council
referring to the joint press release by the International Maritime Organisation and
the World Food Programme stressed its concern at the upsurge in piracy off the Somali
coast, and encouraged Member States whose naval vessels and military aircraft operate
in international waters and airspace adjacent to the coast of Somalia to be vigilant
to any incident of piracy therein and to take appropriate action to protect merchant
shipping, in particular the transportation of humanitarian aid, against any such act,
in line with relevant international law.
Noting that the World Food Programme (WFP) is a key humanitarian actor in Somalia,
to where it sends 80% of its assistance by sea, the security of its vessels is of
fundamental importance in this regard for the entire humanitarian community in Somalia.
Considering the persistent incidents of armed robbery committed in the territorial
waters of Somalia and having responded positively to a request from the Government
of the Republic of Somalia and the WFP that the Kingdom of the Netherlands lend its
support for the protection of WFP-contracted ships bound for Somalia,
Considering that as part of the protection of the WFP contracted ships, Dutch forces
with the agreement of the Flag state would be deployed on board the WFP contracted
ship,
I have the honour therefore, speaking on behalf of my Government, of making the following
proposal to you:
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– The present provisions have been agreed in order to meet the needs of the Kingdom
of the Netherlands in relation to the protection of World Food Programme-contracted
ships in the territorial waters of Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania and their application
is limited to the period of the presence of Dutch Forces deployed in this connection
on the territory of the Republic of Somalia.
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– For the protection of the ships of the Kingdom of Jordan, being the Flag State of
the ships chartered by the World Food Programme, the Government of the Kingdom of
Jordan, as Flag State:
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a) in conjunction with the owners of the ships flying its flag, shall facilitate the
embarkation of Dutch Forces on ships contracted by the World Food Programme;
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b) in conjunction with the owners of the ships flying its flag, shall facilitate cooperation
between the Dutch Forces, including those on board such ships, and the ship’s crew;
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c) shall authorise the Dutch Forces to take all necessary steps, including the proportionate
use of force in accordance with international law. In this connection, the Dutch Forces
shall assess the correct match between the means to be employed and the manner in
which they are to be employed, at whatever level.
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– The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as Flag State, authorises the possession
of weapons and munitions for security by the Dutch Forces present on board ships chartered
by the World Food Programme and flying its flag.
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– The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as Flag State, grants to the Dutch
Forces present on board its WFP-contracted ships for the purpose of their protection,
personal inviolability and immunity from legal proceedings in its criminal, civil
and administrative courts, in addition to immunity from execution.
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– The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as Flag State, would not bear financial
responsibility for any prejudicial or harmful action to third parties caused or occasioned
by the Dutch forces in the execution of their tasks.
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– In the event of legal action instituted in connection with such prejudice, the Government
of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan agrees, in a spirit of full cooperation between
the parties, to stand in lieu of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
in the proceeding. The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands shall pay any
compensation due as redress for prejudice suffered by third parties as a result of
actions committed by the Dutch forces in this deployment.
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– The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as Flag State, agrees that the
Dutch Forces may choose to hand over either to the Jordanian authorities or to another
state’s authorities for criminal prosecution all individuals detained by the Dutch
Forces and equipment confiscated from individuals having committed acts of piracy
or armed robbery or attempts hereof directed against or on board the ships of the
Flag State.
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– In case the Kingdom of the Netherlands should choose to hand over to the Flag State,
the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as Flag State, agrees to accept the transfer of these
individuals and of confiscated equipment from the Dutch Forces.
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– Should the Dutch Forces detain any individuals who have committed acts of piracy or
armed robbery or attempts hereof directed against World Food Programme-contracted
ships, they shall guard them and ensure their safety in accordance with the provisions
of applicable international law until such time as they are handed over to the Kingdom
of Jordan authorities or to another state’s authorities for criminal prosecution by
the state to which the individuals have been handed over to by the Dutch Forces.
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– The Jordanian authorities shall take charge without delay of all individuals detained
on board its ships and handed over by the Dutch Forces.
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– Representatives of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and others empowered to represent
the Kingdom of the Netherlands will have full access to any person transferred from
the Dutch Forces to the Jordanian authorities while such persons are in custody.
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– The Dutch Government will be notified by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan of any changes
concerning the status of individuals transferred by the Dutch Forces to the competent
authorities of Jordan.
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– The Jordanian authorities will ensure that any person transferred to them by the Dutch
Forces will not be transferred to the authority of another state, including detention
in another state, without the prior agreement of the Dutch Government.
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– The death of any member of the personnel of the Dutch Forces on board a ship of the
Flag State shall be declared to the authorities of that State, which hereby agrees
to hand over the body to the Dutch authorities without delay.
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– Any dispute between the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as Flag State,
and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning the implementation
or interpretation of the provisions hereof shall be settled exclusively by negotiation.
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– The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as Flag State, and the Government
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands may terminate this agreement in writing, giving
a short period of advance notice.
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– Expiry of the present agreement shall not discharge the Government of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan, as Flag State, and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
of obligations created during its implementation.
The provisions contained in this exchange of letters may be communicated to any third
State that should so request from either of the parties.
I have the honour to inform you of the agreement of my Government to the provisions
set out above. Given this, the present agreement shall be in force from the date hereof.
Please accept, your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
DR. SALAHEDDIN AL-BASHIR
Foreign Minister
