Landing the Big One

Landing the Big One

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Sea Piracy: France calls for international action vs piracy off Somalia


Flush with success in getting its hostages back from the small group of Somali pirates holding them, France now suggests international action to protect a shipping lane:
France has called on the international community for a unified action against piracy, after French military secured the release of 30 hostages from a luxury yacht off the lawless Somali coast.

"The international community must mobilize for a determined fight against acts of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia," French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a statement released by the French embassy in Manila Wednesday.

Kouchner stressed the significance of ensuring security in the Arabian Sea, saying humanitarian ships pass through the area. He said France has initiated Operation Alycon to escort ships from the World Food Program.

France “considers it necessary to go further, especially at the United Nations,” he said. “Discussions have started in New York with our partners to move forward on this."
A simple escort and convoy system or prepositioned ships monitoring the Gulf of Aden area near Somalia could reduce piracy attacks.

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