Prior to the War in Iraq I was one of many who railed against the folly of such a cynical misadventure and today watching in disbelief at the most powerful naval forces pleading impotence when confronted with piracy off the Horn of Africa, blaming "Terms of Engagement" blaming a lack of stability in Somalia etc I cant help but sense deja vu or "here we go again".
I appreciate the US private security sector, Blackwater et al, is looking for new post-Iraq markets and the same unscrupulous US influences are stirring the pot.
We had an aeroplane land in the Hudson and that US feel-good factor is contageous (and a distraction from economic news) hence a US captain is now floating in a fibreglass lifeboat 300 miles offshore and the most powerful fleet on earth are converging on this avoidable scenario. Hello? A container vessel capable of +16 knots is one of the fastest merchant ships afloat and can outrun any pirate skip. But we all want our 3 minutes and this is a terrific advertisement for seaborne security; whoops the captain's "old man" happens to run such a company.
To suggest piracy can only be eradicated by an incursion into Somalia beggars belief. Somalia is a nation of pirates and they only become a problem when they leave the coastal water.
The smart strategy is to detect and destroy when offshore in open waters; on "our ground", not theirs.
Let us face a few harsh realities apparently incomprehensible to US and UN naval forces; a small boat 300 miles offshore with RPGs rather than nets ain't fishin'. Terms of Engagement which allow such vessels to proceed until it actualy attacks a vessel before intervention is allowed are the product of mischief-makers.
The current passive Terms of Reference followed by US and UN naval forces only encourage and incubate the virus of piracy. If US and UN forces have a hidden agenda they should step aside and let the PRC fleet clean this mess up before it gets out of hand.
I appreciate private security is a highly lucrative "sector" today and Iraq is closing its doors after years of abuse but we British have always prided ourselves on maintaining safe and open international waters. Lets keep the High Seas open and accessible to all.
Besides, so many merchant shipping companies have signed up for security already and whilst it is generating huge income and must be perpetuated by US gluttons, we know the cost will eventually fall on consumers of all goods shipped by sea (to avoid higher marine insurance premiums) and that is for sure.
Today aerial surveillance can detect all small craft departing the shores of Somalia before they leave the surf! Airborne Awacs over Iraq or Saudi Arabia have the range and capability for this and seaborne interceptors can destroy. There are so many UN (European) military "observers" in the region already!
Lets also remember illegal fishing off the coast of these poor nations can also be dealt with once and for all, preserving fish stocks for locals who will then have the income and can avoid piracy; and the removal of long line fisherman will do so much for the turtle and other marine communities.
