Pirate ships often flew the flag of a friendly country as they sailed toward the ship they planned to rob.

VOA: special.2009.05.24

"Your forces," he wrote, "fired this morning on a civilian ship flying the flag of my government.

VOA: special.2009.07.23

The vessel was flying an Antiguan flag and disguised as an aid ship.

VOA: standard.2009.11.04

Washington wanted to see the ship carry the flag around the globe, and to forge new ties with nations like China.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds Town Hall with Chinese Youth

Is it the oil industry, the ship builders, the flag issuers or the insurers who issue the policies?

FORBES: The BP Spill: Who's Responsible, Part II

Some EU countries believe the country under whose flag the ship is flying must agree to the inspection, something that could significantly undercut the measure's effectiveness.

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