US gives Kenya six boats to fight terrorism

MOMBASA, Kenya, Oct 6 (Reuters) The United States government today gave the Kenyan Navy six boats to patrol its coastline and help combat ''insecurity and terrorism''.

''This is timely in view of the heightened concerns by Kenya about the potential exploitation of the Kenyan coast by criminal groups and terrorists,'' US Ambassador Michael Rennenberger said in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.

''The project valued at 3 million dollars is a major initiative to help the government of Kenya combat insecurity and terrorism.'' The US government has been helping African governments train and equip local troops to combat militants who Washington believes want to create safe havens in the continent's vast and hard-to-govern regions.

Security experts say Kenya's porous borders and coastline could be exploited by militants posing a threat to US interests and looking for a gateway into the continent through Kenya.

Kenya has already witnessed a number of attacks -- the 1998 al Qaeda bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and an attack at a coastal resort four years later.

Kenya's Defense Minister Njenga Karume said the east African government was worried about instability in Somalia.

''These are worrying trends that may greatly affect trade and even damage Kenya's tourism and shipping industries,'' he said.

''We are thankful to the U.S. government for carrying out ... and further offering maritime training courses which go into promoting skills in counter-terrorism activities.'' The United States and Kenya have a common security interest in Somalia, where Islamist forces have been battling a transitional government.

There is evidence the perpetrators of the 2002 embassy attack found sanctuary in the country.

Somalia's waters are also among the most dangerous for shipping in the world since the country descended into anarchy after the 1991 ouster of a military dictator by warlords.

Pirates have frequently targeted ships and taken crew hostage along its coast.

REUTERS SHB PM1847