Posts Tagged ‘terrorists’
Piracy in Somalia – I Thought We Didn’t Negotiate With Terrorists?
Saturday, April 11th, 2009
The second American ship in a week was taken hostage by pirates off the coast of somalia yesterday. This one was taken in the gulf of Adan. A UN representative said on NPR that, in the six days prior to the first american ship was taken, there had been six other acts of piracy in the area! He also noted that there is no legal system capable of prosecuting these types of criminals for these crimes. Such a government doesn’t deserve to exist.
The pirates receive millions of dollars in ransom money from ship owners. I thought we didn’t negotiate with terrorists. Thats exactly what these pirates are, terrorists. They are not stealing the cargo or the gear on board, they are demanding ransom money by terrifying the owners of ships and the families of the ships’ crew.
What is wrong with this picture? Many things… These individuals are threatening the international community. Not just the USA, not just their local people, not just anyone, EVERYONE. If this type of activity is allowed to continue these terrorist groups will continue to gain wealth and, as we’ve already seen, more sophisticated equipment. So far they have grown quite rapidly, milli0ns of dollars from one hit goes a long way to buying more vessels and bigger ones at that. They can now reach out farther and attack many hundres of miles from shore.
Do none of these ships have the ability to defend themselves? I know the pirates are heavily armed, but a large ship should be able to take out a few pangas. Wait until you let them amass bigger and better boats and more weapons. nothing short of a navy destroyer will stand a chance then.
Maybe, if they can’t arm themselves, these ships could be escorted through this particular area until the real problem is handled.
