David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Tuesday 09 December, 2008

Piracy in Somalia

Yesterday marked the launch of the European Union's naval mission to tackle piracy in the Gulf of Aden and along the Somali Coast, under British command.  It is a hugely tough job, inextricably linked to the ground situation in Somalia, but vital for global trade and security.  The mission's key roles are to protect World Food Programme humanitarian deliveries to Somalia, protecting  other vulnerable shipping and deterring and disrupting piracy more widely.  The mission, called Operation "Atalanta",  also includes airborne surveillance in known piracy high risk areas.  Warships and patrol aircraft from  eight  nations including the UK  are so far committed to participate in "Atalanta", and the EU has made clear it would welcome participation by non-EU member states too, in recognition that this is a shared international problem and responsibility.   It is a good example of the EU bringing together the resources of member states to good effect.

Posted at 17:55 09 December 2008 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

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As a matter of fact, I wouldn't also ascribe the Somali piracy issue to regional crises. Too many foreign states have been blighted by the pirate's hijack actions. Of no less importance to ascertain the real genesis of this problem. Now being considered an international issue, it requires profound, systematic and politically-correct approaches.

Posted by Louisa on December 09, 2008 at 09:36 PM GMT #

Yes, let's hope the EU shows similar sterling application when it comes time to hear the appeal of the Chagos Islanders in the European court against the act of piracy perpetrated against them by the British government a generation ago and for which they are still awaiting justice in vain. And let's wonder what the British government will do if the European Court agrees with the British High Court that this was a "repugnant", "outrageous" and "illegal" act, and that the Chagos Islanders have an inalienable right to go home. Let's wonder if there will then be a single British politician with the guts and honour to do the right thing because there certainly isn't right now.

Posted by Richard Morgan on December 10, 2008 at 10:31 PM GMT #

Is it just a coincidence that as the US backed occupation of Somalia by Ethiopia goes tits up it's all Somali pirates this and Somali pirates that? Just another smoke screen while the western powers continue to find a way to wrestle Somalia's considerable natural resource wealth away from the Somalis and China.

Posted by Mark on December 12, 2008 at 09:26 AM GMT #

How about cleaning up all the toxic, radioactive and chemical dumping around the Somalian coastline? This dumping was allowed by the international community when Somalia didn't have a voice. And stop backing warlords.

Posted by stu on December 13, 2008 at 12:03 PM GMT #

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