Navy head cool on Somalia strikes

The top US naval commander in the Gulf and Indian Ocean has dampened hopes that piracy off Somalia's coast can be tackled by attacking bases on land. Vice-Admiral Bill Gortney said that such a policy would be hampered by the difficulties of identifying the pirates and the risks of harming civilians. He suggested shipping companies should instead employ armed security guards to protect their vessels from hijackings. Adm Gortney was speaking on the first day of a conference on Gulf security. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates later told delegates that the US would consider attacking the land bases of pirates in Somalia only once it had better intelligence

more..http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7780981.stm
Navy commander questions land attacks on pirates
MANAMA, Bahrain – Days before Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to ask the United Nations to authorize "all necessary measures" against piracy from Somalia, a leader of the U.S. military, which would help carry out that policy, said in effect: Not so fast.
The commander of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet expressed doubt Friday about the wisdom of launching attacks against Somali pirates on land, as the draft U.N. resolution proposes. A Pentagon spokesman warned against the urge to grasp for a quick and easy military solution to a complex international problem. more..http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081213/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/ml_us_piracy

Son with Somali pirates, family appeals to PM
http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20081213/812/tnl-son-with-somali-pirates-family-appea.html


U.N. Seeks Collective Action Against Somali Piracyhttp://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/14678

Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged Middle East nations to support the fight against terror


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081213/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/ml_gates
Stable Somalia is only way to combat high-seas piracy
iracy off the coast of Somalia has become a global threat. But last month, Somali pirates struck far from their home when they brazenly hijacked the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star at a distance of almost 450 nautical miles off the coast of Kenya. Carrying more than $100 million in crude oil destined for the United States, the supertanker is anchored along with a dozen other ships off the northeast coast of Somalia. more..http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11221120
NATO ends mission, but says threat growing
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=161119ww.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=161119
US: Allies need good intel to attack pirate bases
MANAMA, Bahrain: U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says allies need to develop the kind of intelligence that would make it possible to attack pirates' home bases.The U.S. is presenting a draft U.N. Security Council resolution next week to authorize "all necessary measures" against piracy from Somalia.Gates said Saturday at an international forum that militaries could go after the pirates on land if they have good intelligence.
more..http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/13/news/ML-Gates-Piracy.php
Indian Navy repulses attack, arrests 23 pirates off
Somali coast
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/286643.php
Somali pirates bear striking resemblance to those in Blackbeard's day
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/286630.php