regional piracy Singapore, June 5, SPA -- Malaysia has yet to find any "crediblelink" between terrorists and the pirates who roam theMalacca Strait, Malaysia's defense minister said Sunday atan Asian security conference. More than 50,000 ships pass through the 900-kilometer(550-mile) strait, carrying half the world's oil and athird of its commerce. It links East Asia with the MiddleEast and Europe. "Our view is that we have yet to find a credible linkbetween terrorists, i.e. those who commit acts ofaggression for a political motive, and modern-day pirates,whose primary aim is to derive commercial benefit fromtheir acts," Razak said at a conference of defenseministers and military leaders in Singapore. Razak said coordinated patrols since July 2004 had reducedpirate attacks by about 25 percent from previous years. "Malaysia is steadfast in our belief that the littoralstates are capable of patrolling the straits withoutexternal intervention," Razak said. However, he said Malaysia had invited Thailand to join thepatrols "to enhance the security along the approaches tothe strait" _ an initiative welcomed by Singapore. "Primary responsibility for maritime security in theStrait of Malacca lies with the littoral states. (But)there is a lot of room for various initiatives to takeplace," Singapore Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean told The Associated Press. "I think we should be prepared to proceed on the basis ofpracticality," Teo said, adding that air surveillancepatrols was a possibility. Also Sunday, Adm. William Fallon, the U.S. Navy's Pacificfleet commander, reiterated his government's respect fornational sovereignty but said the Navy was willing to offerhelp if it is in Washington's best interests. "Pacific Command can facilitate maritime securityefforts," Fallon said. "We can, and we will, offercapabilities and cooperation to address the difficultproblems before us." "It is in the best interests of my country to play anactive role," Fallon said.--SPA1240 Local Time 0940 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/267540