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Africa Horn
France calls for international action vs piracy off Somalia
2008-04-17
France has called on the international community for a unified action against piracy, after French military secured the release of 30 hostages from a luxury yacht off the lawless Somali coast. "The international community must mobilize for a determined fight against acts of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia," French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a statement released by the French embassy in Manila Wednesday.

Kouchner stressed the significance of ensuring security in the Arabian Sea, saying humanitarian ships pass through the area. He said France has initiated Operation Alycon to escort ships from the World Food Program.

France “considers it necessary to go further, especially at the United Nations,” he said. “Discussions have started in New York with our partners to move forward on this."

The 30 crew of French-registered Le Ponant -- six Filipinos, 22 French, a Cameroonian and a Ukrainian -- were freed Friday following negotiations that ended the standoff peacefully. Somali pirates seized them on April 4.

Six of the 12 Somali pirates were captured by French commandos following the release of the hostages. Sources close to the negotiations said the boat owner, Compagnie des Iles du Ponant, paid some $2 million to free the 30, and that a portion of the money was recovered when the six pirates were detained.

French Defense Minister Herve Morin on Saturday said Paris would no longer tolerate extortion attempts.

Kouchner also expressed "great joy" that the Le Ponant crewmembers have been released and are safe. "I am delighted at this happy outcome. My first thoughts go to the families and loved ones of our compatriots, and the other crewmembers who will soon be with theirs,” he said. “I also want to extend my warm thanks to all those who helped resolve this crisis."

The freed crewmembers were flown to Paris Tuesday and the six Filipinos, including a female cabin steward, arrived in Manila on Wednesday.

Somalia has been without an effective government since the 1991 ousting of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Posted by:Fred

#20  unlike wine, aged is...not good
Posted by: Frank G   2008-04-17 23:23  

#19  I take it 155/235 is not a good ratio of working to grounded?

Not really. Also, in addition to small numbers, a significant portion of their helicopter fleet (the only aircraft that's really useful here) is aged.
Posted by: Pappy   2008-04-17 23:19  

#18  Well France, you could always make a Marine Corps and a Navy. It worked for us.

To the shores of Tripoli....
Posted by: newc   2008-04-17 22:23  

#17  Paging Stephen Decatur, paging Stephen Decatur ...
Posted by: DMFD   2008-04-17 20:40  

#16  Translation: "international action" - the Americans should take care of it, and Europe will tell us how to do it as well as complain about it afterwards.
Posted by: DMFD   2008-04-17 20:37  

#15  Hey, buy me the boat and me and my buds will take care of those pesky pirates.
a 3 million dollar yatch should do nicely.
Oh, and fuel, we'll need maps, charts, and fuel.
(we'll get the chicks en route)
Posted by: wxjames   2008-04-17 16:30  

#14  If those numbers are correct that works out to about 65%. it would be interesting to know the state of the US DOD aviation assets relative to this; based on the hand wringing in the press by the USAF and USN brass, they can't put 3 airplanes in the sky at any one time.. probably not that bad, but i would hazard a guess that our available assets are somewhere around 70% ( scheduled depot level rework, laid up due to lack of parts, lack of funding for repairs, etc)
Posted by: USN,Ret.   2008-04-17 14:35  

#13  Highly effective techniques for combating piracy.

1) Sink the pirates vessels with the loss of all hands.
2) Instruct the Senior Chief Petty Officer to issue appropriate oral commendations for marksmanship.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2008-04-17 14:31  

#12  Charles De Gaulle, the only French carrier and already somewhat of a naval joke, is in drydock for 18 months.
Posted by: ed   2008-04-17 13:16  

#11  Thank you, Pappy. Old Patriot, that was the link I went to, but didn't understand the significance of all the numbers. I take it 155/235 is not a good ratio of working to grounded? But if the French are having airplane problems, why would they take on a new fight in which such things are needed? Or do they want the international community (meaning who?) to take up the burden for them?
Posted by: trailing wife    2008-04-17 12:54  

#10  I think Joe means this, TW.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2008-04-17 12:44  

#9  tw, Link is here.

Essentially:

out of a total 235 aircraft, 155 planes and helicopters are operational
Posted by: Pappy   2008-04-17 12:37  

#8  See NOSI.org on the current state of FRENCH NAVAL AVIATION for hints why.

I looked there, and don't understand what you are hinting at, JosephM. Would you please explain?
Posted by: trailing wife    2008-04-17 12:09  

#7  Hurrah for France! And good luck.
Posted by: trailing wife    2008-04-17 12:06  

#6  Any volunteers for "Q" ship duty?
Posted by: Chief Running Gag   2008-04-17 11:09  

#5  Well, leave the British out of it. They can't legally do anything.

However, I think the Navy boys and some SEAL Teams might jump at the chance to off some pirates.
Posted by: DarthVader   2008-04-17 09:50  

#4  Well, first the UN will have to figure out what the definition of piracy is. They'll figure that out in about 25 or 30 years. Maybe.
And then the next step. Conferences at five star South Pacific resorts...
Posted by: tu3031   2008-04-17 09:31  

#3  Freakin' Sarkozy, what a unilateral, war-mongering Cowboy!

*snicker*
Posted by: BA   2008-04-17 09:27  

#2  What, without a 3-year debate, endless entreaties, and UN approval?
Posted by: no mo uro   2008-04-17 05:40  

#1  See NOSI.org on the current state of FRENCH NAVAL AVIATION for hints why.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2008-04-17 03:03  

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