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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/13/1041990234408.html
Tonga Closes Ship Register After al Qaeda Penetration
(Sydney Morning Herald) - Philip Cornford and Sarah Crichton In the two years since the Tonga red-and-white ensign first flew, three foreign-owned Tonga "ships of shame" have been caught ferrying terrorists, weapons, and explosives for al Qaeda. The U.S. Navy is prepared to stop and search any of the 62 ships which the CIA has identified flying Tongan flags. The Israeli Navy on January 3 last year seized the Tongan-flagged Karine A carrying 50 tons of weapons and munitions which Israel claimed was destined for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. The Tongan government announced in June it would close the ship register, citing concerns it was tarnishing Tonga's reputation.