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Terrorists Take Tugboat, Tensions Triple
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Somali pirates hijacked an Italian-flagged tugboat with 16 crew Saturday, a NATO spokeswoman said, as U.S. warships blocked bandits trying to send reinforcements to a lifeboat where an American captain was being held hostage for a fourth day.The tugboat was towing two barges when it was attacked, according to Andrew Mwangura, the head of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program. He said maritime industry sources had informed his organization of the hijacking. Mwangura said the tugboat was U.S.-owned. A diplomat in Nairobi who deals with maritime affairs said it was Italian-owned. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to reporters. Shona Lowe, a spokeswoman at NATO's Northwood maritime command center, said the tugboat was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia's northern coast as it was towing barges. She said 10 of the 16 crew were Italian nationals, adding that Italian government officials and the company that owned the vessel were involved in trying to secure their release. The attack took place as the American captain of the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama was held on a lifeboat watched by two U.S. warships, hundreds of miles from land. We need to react swiftly, using the full might of our power, when piracy arises. This is not a Criminal undertaking that can be settled by Lawfare, it is asymmetrical warfare, only with a profit motive rather than theological extremism pushing it. We do not ned to hold hearings to try to understand the Pirates. We need to have a realistic deterrent in our navy, not shackle them with Diplomatic Resolutions. The Navy needs to be allowed to respond with overwhelming firepower and attack not only the pirate vessels but their bases on land. This Administration is showing the World just how weak it is. Expect more and worse attacks. Posted by: Deacon Blues 2009-04-11 |
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