Somali government hails rescue of U.S. hostage

Reuters ^ | Apr. 13, 2009

[nuconvert]

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Somalia's fledgling government applauded on Sunday the release of an American hostage whose five-day capture by pirates in the Indian Ocean highlighted lawlessness both in and off the Horn of Africa nation.

"We are very happy at this action and the outcome," Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar told Reuters by telephone from Djibouti. "It shows that the world will not accept criminality."

Asked what he knew about the operation to free ship captain Richard Phillips, Omaar said details needed to be kept confidential. "I am not surprised, nor will anyone be surprised, at the actions of the American government to save its citizen and ensure the security of its people."

[Old Retired Army Guy]

So why doesn’t that “Fledgling Government” do something about the Pirates who live on its’ soil?

[Red Badger]

THEY HAVE A GOVERNMENT?...................

[Timeout]

Waddayaknow. They have a government.
Great.
Now we’ll have to let the U.N. handle the problem.

[nuconvert]

According to the article, they need/want $$$ to strengthen their security forces so that they can deal with the problem.

[nina0113]

THEY HAVE A GOVERNMENT?...................

That was my first reaction, but then I saw the word "fledgling". Is this just the Biggest Warlord, or did they have an actual election that I didn't notice?

[bgill]

They’re please because they didn’t have to do a thing. No, they probably will hold their hands out for more $$$$.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“According to the article, they need/want $$$ to strengthen their security forces so that they can deal with the problem.”

If the $$$ would work; it could be a cheap investment for us.

[Sig Sauer P220]

Now lets work on freeing ourselves from all of the pirates in the U.S. government.

[Man50D]

What Somali Government?

[UB355]

The dummies were not happy

47. Good news the captian was rescued but not that some pirates were killed.
The death of the pirates is viewed as an issue that could take future acts of piracy to another level quite aside from the exposure now to the other +200 captives.

17. Good, but worring news. While I’m glad the guy was freed. The way it was done (which I think it was the only way) may actually ramp up things. The next breed of pirates will be ready for this the next time. Which will ramp up things worse. Which and anger the african street in the process. Maybe even turning that nation into a no-go area for the US. And in a time where the US is (right or wrong) looked at as a world bully that’s not exactly a great thing.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3827921

[jveritas]

The pro-western Somali government is in great danger of being overthrown by Al Qaeda affiliated terrorists called “Al Shabab Moujahdeen Movement”. Controlling piracy in Somalia is the Somali government last concern as they are fighting for their survival.

[Jonny foreigner]

THEY HAVE A GOVERNMENT?...................

---

*lol* this was exactly my first thought too.

[swatbuznik]

What the dummies don’t get is that it will always “ramp up” no matter what we do. If we do nothing, they’ll only become emboldened. And when their demands are meant, they’ll just become better armed and equipped with better boats. If we “leave them alone” they’ll never fall into any kind of peaceful state.

Stuck on stupid, I guess.

[Star Traveler]

You said — So why doesn’t that “Fledgling Government” do something about the Pirates who live on its’ soil?

—

Well, one could start (for the answer to that) by asking why the U.S. didn’t stay in Somalia, a while back and clean things up, when it was already there.... :-)

[Jonny foreigner]

“According to the article, they need/want $$$ to strengthen their security forces so that they can deal with the problem.”

If the $$$ would work; it could be a cheap investment for us.

---

ähm they have no security forces or a standing army. i guess this so called government is made of regional war lords who all pretend that they are the government. In most parts of Somalia anarchy is the current form of “government” so the “rules” (if they have one) are made by an AK47 but shure not because of something we would call a government.

[Alter Kaker]

So why doesn’t that “Fledgling Government” do something about the Pirates who live on its’ soil?

Because they only control a very small section of Mogadishu and have zero presence at all in Puntland, the province from which the pirates operate.

[ScottinVA]

“Somali government” — one of the new classic oxymorons. Kinda like:

Democrat(ic) leadership
Arab allies
Friendly fire
Obama’s qualifications
Hillary’s personality

[cookcounty]

"THEY HAVE A GOVERNMENT?..................."

Notice the "Foreign Minister" was in nearby Djibouti, which is not in Somalia.

He probably lives in Djibouti, where he can be protected by the FFL and the US Marines.

[M. Espinola]

Is this ‘government’ in exile?