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July 29, 2005

Piracy, which has been on the increase for the past few years, is finally in decline. The most worrisome area was the busy straits between Indonesia and Malaysia. But those two countries, and several others, joined forces to increase naval patrols in the area. As a result, pirate attacks are down for 30 percent during the first six months of the year, with much this a result of less piracy off Indonesia. The Indonesian reduction owes much to the devastating earthquake and tidal waves in Indonesia last December. Many of the pirates were among the victims, as were their boats. A third of world piracy has been taking place off Indonesia, and more patrols and the tidal waves reduced attacks 16 percent there. Attacks are up in two areas; Somalia (where there were eight) and Iraq (where there were four.)