EU Countries Offer To Help Fight Piracy

Eight European Union Nations May Form Security Force To Battle Somali Pirates

(AP)  Eight European Union countries offered Wednesday to create a maritime security force aimed to fight piracy off Somalia, the French defense minister said — a move that could give the U.S. Navy crucial support in the hazardous waters.

The decision comes after last week's hijacking in the Indian Ocean of the Ukrainian ship MV Faina, which was carrying 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks, rifles, and heavy weapons — and 20 hostages, one of whom has died, apparently of illness.

The hostages remain on board and the Faina is surrounded by U.S. warships. NATO also has military ships in the Indian Ocean.

French Defense Minister Herve Morin, speaking to reporters at a meeting of EU defense ministers in Deauville, said the informal session was not the proper setting for an official launch of the operation. But he said he hoped the needed approval would come when defense ministers meet in Brussels on Nov. 10.

Details such as the number of EU vessels that would patrol the increasingly hazardous waters off Somalia, and the timetable for deployment, still need to be worked out, he said.

"You don't lead an operation of this breadth in the space of a few days," said Morin, who is hosting his counterparts as part of France's presidency of the European Union, which began July 1 and runs through year-end.

"We have to solve this," Morin said. "Piracy didn't start yesterday or the day before yesterday — but years ago. Of course it is increasing considerably, because no day goes by in which there is no attack on boats."

Morin pointed to a "very great willingness" to contribute to the operation, and said Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden have already volunteered.

The minister said he proposed that Britain host the mission's operational headquarters. But he acknowledged it was only "probable" that Britain would take part because "our British colleague told us that his boats are already overused." He was apparently referring to British Defense Secretary Des Browne.

Recently pirates have targeted the Indian Ocean waters off eastern Somalia. Some 62 ships attacked in the notorious African waters this year.

[easeup-2009]

ARRRGH!! I AM FIRST YE LAND LUBBERS!!

AVAST YE MATEY''S!!!!

[questionnews]

Let''s see how Muslims will take this news.
The pirates in these waters are Muslim.
These Muslims will be pursued by Europeans & Americans military forces. So, in the minds of Muslims, this is another attack on Islam by the west.
I can guaranty the some Islamic website is saying just that.

[charlieot]

Let''''s see how Muslims will take this news.
The pirates in these waters are Muslim.
These Muslims will be pursued by Europeans & Americans military forces. So, in the minds of Muslims, this is another attack on Islam by the west.
I can guaranty the some Islamic website is saying just that.

Posted by Questionnews at 05:07 PM : Oct 01, 2008

Questionnews, do you have *any* credible evidence to back up your statement? There has been no declaration of their religious background in any of the articles on this hijacking. Further, other articles I have read indicate that the Somali pirates have multiple religious, ethnic and national backgrounds. Similarly, all indications are that they will prey upon any ship, regardless of others religious, ethnic or national background...sort of equal opportunity pirates.
So if you can cite evidence to the contrary, please do so. Otherwise, please admit to your overzealousness and try to make credible arguments in the future.

[questionnews]

Questionnews, do you have *any* credible evidence to back up your statement? There has been no declaration of their religious background in any of the articles on this hijacking. Further, other articles I have read indicate that the Somali pirates have multiple religious, ethnic and national backgrounds. Similarly, all indications are that they will prey upon any ship, regardless of others religious, ethnic or national background...sort of equal opportunity pirates.
So if you can cite evidence to the contrary, please do so. Otherwise, please admit to your overzealousness and try to make credible arguments in the future.

Posted by charlieot at 05:17 PM : Oct 01, 2008
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) %u2014 Somali pirates said Tuesday they celebrated a Muslim holiday aboard a hijacked freighter and denied reports that three comrades were killed in a shootout on the vessel, which is being closely watched by a half-dozen U.S. warships.


http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5igGmlfz-K3g6EyC2vN8yK10vpCugD93H9K500

That and a hundred other sites. Unless non-muslims take time out of their heavy schedule of pillaging to celebrate another religion''s holiday.

[questionnews]

charlieot

I do appreciate the civil tone of your "call out". Most go straight to attack & insult mode.

Thank you!

[charlieot]

charlieot

I do appreciate the civil tone of your "call out". Most go straight to attack & insult mode.

Thank you!

Posted by Questionnews at 05:43 PM : Oct 01, 2008

NP Questionnews...
You were right about the holiday paragraph, I had forgotten that.
Something you might find interesting though..there is at least one instance of Islamic militants launching attacks against the Somali pirates.

News Links from a Wikipedia article (not in and of itself something I would consider overly reliable) document a number of attacks against traditionally Islamic nations'' shipping, among them the UAE, Jordan and Iran. Following the Jordanian hijacking, Somali Islamic fighters attacked pirates in Hobyo, Somalia (apparently in retaliation for the hijacking).

These pirates really are "equal opportunity". There may be a few outcries if the American ships attack *this* ship, but I would be highly doubtful that anything of substance would be heard. I think it is almost certain that Al Qaeda would continue to keep quiet about this bunch.

[minnick8-2009]

Similarly, all indications are that they will prey upon any ship, regardless of others religious, ethnic or national background...sort of equal opportunity pirates.

Posted by charlieot

Can''t we just track where they are docking their ships/boats and blow them off the earth?