EU Sending Warships to Somalia Coast to Fend Off Pirate Attacks

Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- European Union governments say they will deploy additional warships off the coast of Somalia to fight piracy.
Germany will send a frigate, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung said. France has already dispatched a frigate and Spain has sent an observation plane. The goal is to have an EU fleet of three warships, a supply ship and three naval surveillance planes, Jung said.
``We have to take effective action against pirates,'' Jung told reporters today at an EU meeting in Deauville, France. ``We have to first push back the pirates, restore security on the high seas and make free maritime trade possible again.'' more. ..http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aociB4XbD5eU&refer=africa


Somalia OK's Force To Retake Pirate-Held Ship


MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) ― Foreign powers have permission to use force if necessary against the Somali pirates who hijacked a Ukrainian ship loaded with battle tanks and heavy ammunition, Somalia's foreign ministry said Wednesday. Mohamed Jama Ali, the ministry's acting permanent director, said his country granted its permission on the condition that the foreign powers coordinate their actions with Somali government officials beforehand. more..http://cbs11tv.com/national/somalia.pirate.ship.2.830039.html

Pirates stick to ransom demand; standoff at 7 days

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5igGmlfz-K3g6EyC2vN8yK10vpCugD93HN31G0

Ukraine arms deals may fuel Africa conflicts-report
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1479875.htm

Pirates face down U.S. warships, 'copters
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/01/somalia.piracy.ap/index.html?iref=24hours
Somalia: World can use force against the pirates
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=105&pid=0&sid=1486470&page=2