Geoff Morrell Holds a Defense Department Regular News Briefing

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Geoff Morrell Holds a Defense Department Regular News Briefing

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING

SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

SPEAKER: GEOFF MORRELL, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PRESS SECRETARY

[*] MORRELL: Good afternoon. Thanks for coming.

I have, once again, nothing specifically to talk with you about today.

(LAUGHTER)

QUESTION: You mean you have nothing to say?

MORRELL: Nothing specifically to talk to you about, not nothing to say. I can -- I can fill a half-an-hour easily. So let's get right to it.

QUESTION: Geoff, are there any meetings or any discussions ongoing right now about whether or not more can be done to secure the waterways where the piracy is occurring? There have been some concerns expressed by, obviously, some of the shipping companies about the lack of security there.

And I know that the United States has been involved in, I guess, some initial talks for a while, but has this been reinvigorated of late, particularly considering the type of cargo in this latest incident?

MORRELL: Well, it's a matter of real concern. I mean, we have seen a dramatic increase in piratic activity, Barbara Starr's favorite term. No, we have seen a dramatic increase in piracy in this area, and it is a matter of real concern.

You know, the Fifth Fleets is the...

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