KEY POINTS:
New Zealand has signed two international protocols addressing the threat of maritime terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said today.
The protocols create new offences relating to maritime terrorism and the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, and establish a regime allowing law enforcement and other officials to board vessels where they suspect an offence has taken place.
The new protocols strengthen the 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation.
Mr Peters said legislation would be needed to ratify the protocols which have already been agreed to be 11 countries including Australia, France, Britain and the United States.
- NZPA
