NATO to Boost Mandate of Anti-Piracy Force

NATO said it is working to strengthen its anti-piracy task force operating off the coast of Somalia.
A NATO spokesman, James Appathurai, on Wednesday said the alliance has asked its military planners to come up with a stronger mandate and new rules of engagement for the mission.
He said a key issue is determining how to deal with captured pirates. NATO ships in recent weeks have captured several boatloads of suspected pirates but had to release them because of legal concerns.Earlier Wednesday, Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov said Moscow is still deciding what to do with a boatload of suspected pirates captured by a Russian warship off the coast of Somalia. He said Russian authorities will decide on their fate soon..more..http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-29-voa62.cfm