PHILIPPINES: MANILA: BRITISH ROYAL NAVY SHIP ARRIVES ON FINAL MISSION скачать в хорошем качестве

PHILIPPINES: MANILA: BRITISH ROYAL NAVY SHIP ARRIVES ON FINAL MISSION

(4 Apr 1997) English/Nat The British Royal Navy ship H-M-S Starling has arrived in the Philippines on its final mission. The ship will be decommissioned on June 30th this year when the British Royal Navy ceases its operations in Hong Kong after the territory's handover to China. But H-M-S Starling may be back in the Philippines soon - Manila is planning to buy the British ship to join its own navy. Her Majesty's Ship Starling docked in Manila harbour early Thursday morning. She arrived in the Philippines on March 29th but stopped first in the province of Pampanga to drop off donations of medicine and other supplies to a charity organisation before sailing to the capital. H-M-S Starling, which is based in Hong Kong, is one of the British Royal Navy's most useful off-shore patrol vessels. She is used for coastal patrol, anti-smuggling chases and rescue operations. But this visit to the Philippines will be the ship's final mission. H-M-S Starling will be decommissioned when the British Royal Navy ceases its operations in Hong Kong after the territory is handed back to China on June 30th this year. However, it may not be the last time the ship sails in Philippines waters. SOUNDBITE: (English) Q: What happens to this ship after the handover? A: We're very much hoping it will be coming to Manila. We have included an agreement with the Philippines government that the ships will be purchased by the Philippines government to join the Philippines navy, sometime towards the end of July. Q: So after the handover it has nothing to do with Hong Kong anymore? A: Well, the Royal Navy will be bringing the ships here. The ships are 75 per cent funded by the Hong Kong government, so whatever price we finally agree for purchase for the Philippines government, 75 per cent of that cost will go to the Hong Kong government. But that's all that will remain of Hong Kong's residual responsibility after the 30th of June. SUPER CAPTION: Commodore Peter Melsom, Chief of Staff, British Forces Hong Kong 1997 will see the end of H-M-S Starling's service in the British Royal Navy - and this will be the last time these British sailors sail the ship on assignment. However, Philippines authorities are looking forward to welcoming it as part of its navy's fleet later this year. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...