U.S. MERCHANT SHIP HIJACKED

[WBU ALUM]

To make a political point

What political point was that?

And since when do I take suggestions from you?

[mak]

The pirates can't lose. The cargo of the Maersk Alabama is going to Somalia, anyway, food aid. What a screwed up policy, putting lives on the line to help someone who is trying to kill you. We have been down this road many times, nothing good has ever come out of it.

[jackspratt]

To make a political point

What political point was that?

Disingenuous as ever

And since when do I take suggestions from you?

Or anyone else for that matter

[WBU ALUM]

Or anyone else for that matter

And that proves that you don't know of whom or what you are speaking.

Still don't know to what political point you are referring.

[arjay]

Yes, I think Navy seals, SBS etc is the way to go with pirates, or where a pirate ship can be clearly identified, and doesn't have any hostages on board, blow it out of the water!

[Bandung_Dero]

So how, Pakawala, would you suggest that the SEALs do this in one hit, because that's the only chance the hostages may have if they carry out their threats. I'll bet your glad your not one at the moment.

I do agree these criminals have to be eliminated but IMO it will need an extremely well thought operation.

And if you think that the criminals are shltting in their pants your living on cloud cookoo land.

[BKKSTAN]

Now the pirates threaten to escalate to killing hostages if attacked,which is the implied ending if they are not ransomed.

So the US Navy,number 1 enememy should simply declare war on the Somali pirates,when seen or encountered on the high seas,blow them out of the water!

Then send jackspratt to negotiate the next step

[cookie]

Yes, I think Navy seals, SBS etc is the way to go with pirates, or where a pirate ship can be clearly identified, and doesn't have any hostages on board, blow it out of the water!

It seems that the french government has been using the french Commando's on several occasions against these pirates....
april 2008, september 2008, last week,....
I wonder where the rest of the International Community was in the past years??????

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7618142.stm

President Sarkozy said the 30-man operation had taken just 10 minutes.

He said he had given the go-ahead late on Monday when it was clear that the pirates were heading for the lawless port of Eyl, where many well-armed pirate gangs are based.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 731628.ece

Mr Kouchner on Friday urged the international community to take action to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast and said talks were underway at the United Nations on the issue.

Why did the International Community (the Bush Administration included) nothing about cleaning up the Somali pirates' nests along the Horn of Africa.
By virtually ignoring the problem, they let it grow.

[Pakawala]

The US and other countries have taken the stand of not negotiating with criminals for many years. Had the rest of the world taken this same stand, the Somali pirates would not have received the $1,000 million suggested by the post above and seeing there was no 'profit' the pirating would have stopped. By paying these criminals for their activities, they've only exacerbated the situation.

Jackspratt said, "I imagine there are 200 families around the world who would take issue with your reasoning..." and I can only reply, I imagine there are 200,000 families who would love to see these scumbags sent to h-e-l-l.

As posted by cookie, "the lawless port of Eyl is where many well-armed gangs are based" so... send in the SEALs, or SAS or whoever and sink all their boats, for a start. If it's such a 'lawless' port, they wouldn't have an international leg to stand on when looking for someone to complain to. Or, they could set up an international blockade just off their coast in international waters and anyone venturing off-shore would be stopped and searched. Neither of these moves would cost any lives and would definitely put a damper on their operations. I'm sure there are several other measures that could be taken but, PAYING THEM FOR THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIONS is NOT the answer.

[westerby]

Yes, I think Navy seals, SBS etc is the way to go with pirates, or where a pirate ship can be clearly identified, and doesn't have any hostages on board, blow it out of the water!

Now that would be the difficult bit.

[arjay]

I watched a programme on the History Channel last night, about the WWII Japanese mini submarine raid on Sydney harbour.

[westerby]

I watched a programme on the History Channel last night, about the WWII Japanese mini submarine raid on Sydney harbour.

Sorry old chap, I'm a bit confused. What are you saying, that we should launch attacks against Somali pirates using Japanese mini submarines?

[arjay]

Or, if one doesn't want to be quite so drastic, what about an International blockade, at an appropriate distance offshore from the pirate bases? Stop and search suspect ships.
I would hope that recent events have focused enough international attention on the situation by now, for the relevant authorities to get their act together and take appropriate action, which agreed they are in the best position to decide, as opposed to me or most udonmap members!!

The forum provides a good outlet for our frustrations if nothing else .

[polehawk]

I agree with Pakman on this one. No negotiations or ransoms paid, period. Armed guards on the ships and more world naval presence along the Somali coast. Anyone throwing hooks and ropes from their skiffs onto the ships hundreds of miles off the African coast should be summarily shot, no questions asked.

A little more light on the rescue:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/piracy

Negotiations with the three pirates were growing heated, Vice Adm. Bill Gortney said.

One of them pointed an AK-47 at the back of Phillips, who was tied up and in "imminent danger" of being killed when the commander of the nearby USS Bainbridge made the split-second decision to order his men to shoot, Gortney said. Navy snipers took aim at the pirates' heads and shoulders, he said.

The lifeboat was about 25-30 yards away and was being towed by the Bainbridge at the time, he said. The pirates had agreed to the tow to move the powerless lifeboat out of rough water.

A fourth pirate surrendered after boarding the Bainbridge earlier in the day and could face life in a U.S. prison. He had been seeking medical attention for a wound to his hand and was negotiating with U.S. officials on conditions for Phillips' release, military officials said.

The operation was personally approved by President Obama. A job well done by the US Navy Seals. =D>

[westerby]

Or, if one doesn't want to be quite so drastic, what about an International blockade, at an appropriate distance offshore from the pirate bases? Stop and search suspect ships.
I would hope that recent events have focused enough international attention on the situation by now, for the relevant authorities to get their act together and take appropriate action, which agreed they are in the best position to decide, as opposed to me or most udonmap members!!

The forum provides a good outlet for our frustrations if nothing else .

Doubtless those nations that favour action will be looking at a resolution now while those that don't will be looking at how they can haggle over the ransom price.

I feel that those latter nations are waiting for the former to resolve the issue. There are doers and watchers in this World, which is why the US finds it so difficult to persuade NATO's European nations to take up the fight against the Taliban (slightly off topic but it supports my argument).

[jackspratt]

Jackspratt said, "I imagine there are 200 families around the world who would take issue with your reasoning..." and I can only reply, I imagine there are 200,000 families who would love to see these scumbags sent to h-e-l-l.

And what personal stake do these imagined 200,000 families have in this game, Paka?

I am happy to blow these buggars (sic) to kingdom come, but not at the expense of the 200 hostages who are currently being held captive.

I often suspect the term "collateral damage" rolls far too easily off the American tongue (I am generalising).

[FrazeeDK]

BadaBing!! X 3..

Oh, the pirates have over 200 hostages..?? Hadn't heard that.. And now the "Pirates" threaten to wack crewmen of any U.S. ship they may take hostage cause their "boys" got killed?? And this is the fault of??? The U.S. cause we killed the terroristic pirates?? NO moral equivalency!! Please blame the scum that are pirates, NOT the response of any country who attempt to stop or even eliminate this scourge on the sea lanes..

[aznyron]

Jack if no ransom is paid then they have to find other means to support there expensive habits
sadly some lives get lost in dealing with those pirates but in the end we win they die
simple solution to a bad problem when your a hostage you might as well prepare to die
because in most cases that what is going to happen but the kidnappers will die with you

[WBU ALUM]

Why did the International Community (the Bush Administration included) nothing about cleaning up the Somali pirates' nests along the Horn of Africa.
By virtually ignoring the problem, they let it grow.

You can't ask the US to stay out of other people's business and then chastise them for doing so. Then when the US acts to free one of its own, chastise the US for endangering the lives of other hostages from other countries because of threats that they now face.

[WBU ALUM]

I agree with Pakman on this one. No negotiations or ransoms paid, period. Armed guards on the ships and more world naval presence along the Somali coast. Anyone throwing hooks and ropes from their skiffs onto the ships hundreds of miles off the African coast should be summarily shot, no questions asked.

Excellent idea.