Posted on 04/11/2009 9:11:19 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
NAIROBI, Kenya — U.S. warships are trying to stop Somali pirates from sending reinforcements to a lifeboat where an American captain is being held hostage as the high-seas standoff off Africa's eastern coast entered a fourth day Saturday.
Underscoring the high stakes involved, France's navy on Friday freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the hostages was killed.
A Nairobi-based diplomat, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to reporters, said the pirates have summoned assistance but at least two American ships and U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft are deterring pirate ships and skiffs from contact with the lifeboat.
The pirates have threatened to kill their American hostage, Capt. Richard Phillips, if the U.S. attacks them, according to a Somali who has been in contact with the pirates.
The Somali said the pirates had called in four commandeered ships with hostages from a variety of nations including the Philippines, Russia and Germany.
The vice president of the Philippines, the nation with the largest number of sailors held captive by Somali pirates, appealed Saturday for the safety of hostages to be ensured in the standoff.
How Past Hijackings Have Been Resolved
"We hope that before launching any tactical action against the pirates, the welfare of every hostage is guaranteed and ensured," said Vice President Noli de Castro. "Moreover, any military action is best done in consultation with the United Nations to gain the support and cooperation of other countries."
U.S. rules of engagement prevent the Americans using their vastly superior fighting power to engage the pirates if there is any danger to civilians.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Great, tying our own hands.
Trying???
This feels like the late 1970s with Jimmy Carter again...
The more things change...
I say, let the pirates gather.
Then suddenly sink every pirate ship that doesn’t have hostages. Inform the other ships that they cannot leave the area or they will be sunk. The only way they can escape is to surrender their hostages and their vessels.
the town of eyl, somalia which is pirate central
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=7.9634081,49.84758&z=16&t=h&hl=en
as always, the imagery is a tad better in google earth
We live in an alternate America from the one I was born into.
The US Navy has a fundamentally unfair advantage over the Somalian anti-Capitalist freedom fighters.
We cannot allow such a lopsided fight take place, therefore the US Navy must disengage, the ransom must be paid, and an apology issued by our President.
Pirates only take hostages because the US dumps toxic waste off Somalian shores. /DU
It took 3 years for the Iranian hostage crisis to display the true Jimmy Carter. It only took 3 months for the true Barack Obama to come out. The media is going to need a bigger shovel to bury this one.
Riiiiiight...
My initial reaction to!
“U.S. rules of engagement prevent the Americans using their vastly superior fighting power to engage the pirates if there is any danger to civilians.”
In situations threatening civilization, firm action should be taken to protect civilians not yet involved in said situation.
Since the hostage isn’t an ivy league lawyer - he is cannon fodder. This is the way the clintonistas ran things - we are all expendable chaff in the eyes of the leftists.
re-enforcements? blow them out of the water.
they have hostages (human shields)? get some hooks on the boats and strip their props. leave them dead in the water
i would also put a couple of seals under the lifeboat with the capt. i would then signal the captain using a light... telling him the plan. i would have him acknowledge by brushing his hair or something. then, at the appropriate time, he will jump overboard and dive straight down beneath the boat. the seals would be waiting with air and underwater scooters.
once out of the way... commence target practice.
I’m worried all this is a diversion (or will be used as one) for something much worse. I hope we don’t put too much of our resources in one place.
WTF IS GOING ON HERE? WHY CAN’T WE JUST BLOW THESE POS OFF THE MAP? God I hate this administration! I HATE IT!
Since we have this lifeboast that the pirates are on blocked from receiving aid, I wonder what the chances would be of some kind of underwater rescue operation?
Basically what they are saying is that there is no answer to the problem. They need to tell people that if they sail into this area, there’s a chance that pirates will take them hostage and we cannot guarantee their safety.
Of course, Nairobi isn't exactly a beauty spot, except as compared to Eyl.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.