Kelsey Walker
March 26, 2009
6:11PM
Pirating attacks occur in heavy doses around the busy sea lanes off the coast of Somalia. Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991 and nearly half of their population is dependent on the aid that ships are bringing in. NATO countries have stepped in and developed the NATO flotilla, which are ships that go in to stop and monitor pirating within these areas. Ships from Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States all have ships moving in under Portugal command. It was the trans-Atlantic alliance's first naval deployment in the Indian Ocean, and officials cited it as a good example of how the alliance was responding to rapidly changing security challenges. The NATO flotilla ships have now been replaced by European Union flotilla and warships from other countries such as China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea have all joined in to help combat pirating. Pirate ships this week have been attacking Greek and Hong Kong cargo ships.
I think that this is a prime example of the issues that many countries face when trying to trade through seas. Maybe not to this extend but trade issues have always occurred sometimes resulting in violence. I think that it is a good sign that many countries that would usually not work together, are stepping in and helping each other out to combat pirating for this one country who is in need of goods and supplies.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/03/26/world/AP-EU-NATO-Piracy.html?_r=1&ref=world
1 comment:
I strongly agree on how you feel its important for countries to work together to fight proplems. I feel this is the best if not the only way to stop the attacks and its important that others step in and help.
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