Ban Ki-moon tells Argentina, Ghana to solve diplomatic row over seized navy ship

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has told both Ghana and Argentina to solve the current diplomatic incident surrounding a navy ship from the Latin American.

The UN Boss wants the two countries to address the issue in accordance with international law.

Mr Ban made the comments when he met with Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman on October 22, 2012 at his New York office, and congratulated Argentina on its accession to the Security Council for the 2013 – 2014 session.

The two men discussed the ongoing diplomatic row between Argentina and Ghana over the Fragata Libertad – an Argentine sailing ship used for naval training exercises which has been detained in Ghana’s port of Tema for almost three weeks, following a a court order.

“Mr. Ban acknowledged the Government of Argentina’s concern for the well-being of its crew members and voiced hope that both Buenos Aires and Accra would find a way to address the issue of a bilateral basis, in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which both nations are parties,” the UN News Centre reported.

A Ghana court ordered the seizure of the ship at the behest of NML Capital Ltd, a hedge fund group demanding full compensation from the Argentine government following the country’s financial default over a decade ago.

Meanwhile, the Argentine government has chartered the services of French carrier, Air France, to lift crew members on the naval training vessel.

Argentina said October 22, 2012 that 281 crew members from Argentina and a half-dozen other countries will fly to Buenos Aires on Wednesday, leaving the captain with a skeleton crew to maintain the ship at port in Ghana, the Associated Press reported.

The country turned to Air France because any other Argentine plane or vessel could theoretically be seized on arrival as well, according to the report.

By Ekow Quandzie

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