Topaz crew receive Medals of Honour
President James Michel, who is the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, yesterday decorated 18 crew of the Topaz with Medals of Honour.
The 18 are the ones who rescued six Seychellois hostages as well as 21 Iranians from Somali pirates and arrested the pirates on March 29.
The Order of Honour they were given is the second highest military decoration of the Seychelles Peoples’ Defence Forces after the Heroes Medal, and has never been awarded to any member of the SPDF.
Those who got the medals are Major Simon Laurencine – the commander of the Topaz, Second Lieutenant Patrick Gilbert, Second Lieutenant Lydon Lablache, Warrant Officer Frank Meme, Staff Sergeant George Henry, Staff Sergeant Germain Francoise, Sergeant Jimmy Rideau, Corporal Jeffery Cecile, Corporal Roy Gonthier, Lance Corporal Barry Cadence, Lance Corporal Hendrick Belle, Lance Corporal David Louis Marie, Private Derreck Nourrice, Private Brian Toussaint, Private Rolly Moustache, Private Tony Leon, Private Mervin Ernesta and Private Samuel Victor.
Seven officers who manned the operation room of the Seychelles Coast Guard, commanded and controlled the operation were given the Certificate of Operational Efficiency by the chief of Defence Forces Brigadier Leopold Payet.
They are Major George Adeline, Major Francois Antat; Captain Antoine Gomme; Captain Jean Attala; Corporal Pascal Clarisse; Lance Corporal Bertnance Souffe and Private Kevin Bibi.
Members of the Tazar Force who responded when the Topaz came under attack from other pirate vessels on its way to Port Victoria were also given certificates. They are Lieutenant Michael Hollanda, Lieutenant Archil Mondon, Corporal Christopher Servina, Lance Corporal Pierre Servina, Lance Corporal Stephen Maria, Lance Corporal Paul Arrisol, Private Antoine Barbe, Private Robert Antat and Private Ernest Alphonse.
Among those who attended the ceremony which was held at State House, are former President James Mancham, Vice-President Joseph Belmont, speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, ministers, leader of government business in the National Assembly Marie-Louise Potter, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan, judges and members of the diplomatic corps and top clerics.
Deacon Louis Agathine led prayers as the ceremony started.
President Michel said we owe the crew of the Topaz a debt of gratitude.
“Their heroic action at sea saved the lives of our compatriots. Our six Seychellois brothers are today with their families and in their country, Seychelles. We cannot compare ourselves with the great maritime powers, but the professionalism, tenacity and bravery of our sailors are comparable to theirs,” he said.
“Our sailors aboard the Topaz have made us proud, following their successful operation against pirates.”
Mr Michel said the officers have shown on one more occasion the raison d’être of the Seychelles Defence Forces whose existence has been questioned from time to time.
“Once again the world learned that small Seychelles has accomplished a giant task. Your bravery, professionalism, courage, your sense of commitment towards your homeland, were exemplary. You saved the lives of our brothers as well as those of foreign hostages. And you have administered the penalty on the Somali pirates! We will never allow incidents that put the lives of our citizens in danger. Our message is clear – we will not allow the violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. This operation is a warning to all bandits in the region – from wherever they may come – that Seychelles will not tolerate them and we are going to take serious actions against them.”
President Michel also thanked the crew of the EUNAVFOR plane which helped us locate the pirates’ vessel as well as the Government of India which had donated the patrol ship Topaz to Seychelles.
“We have won a battle, we still have to win the war! We still have a long way to go before the decisive victory. The final victory will remain elusive for as long as the piracy scourge in the Indian Ocean is not eradicated completely. There is the necessity, as the international community has recognised, to tackle the root of the problem. We cannot do much about this on our own. We do not have the means, the resources to bring stability to Somalia. But where it is possible, we will give our support to and show our solidarity with the international community. What we have now is a clear message – we will defend our sovereignty and our citizens at all cost.”
President Michel noted that Seychelles would need further assistance from the international community in the fight against piracy, and he urged nations to intensify their assistance to Seychelles.
“I will be frank with you. We are not satisfied with the level of assistance we are presently getting in the fight against piracy. Proportionally, we are putting in a lot more effort and resources in combating this scourge, in relation to our means. Messages of congratulation and encouragement are well appreciated, but not enough! Moral support alone will not make us win the fight against piracy. We need more assistance, more training, more resources and increased logistics. This is my appeal today to the international community, especially the maritime powers. They need to show greater solidarity.
We are in this fight together. Let us strengthen the partnership. I ask them to put more resources and means at our disposal,” he said.
We hope to provide more details and pictures from the ceremony in our issue tomorrow along with the full text of the President’s speech in French.
Meanwhile, the English version of the speech is published on page 4 in today’s Nation.