The UN Security Council needs to pass a resolution banning the type of small boats that are being used as pirate vessels off the coast of Somalia from carrying larger weapons such as grenade launchers or AK47s or should face destruction by American, British, French, German, Chinese or Russian ships patrolling the coast off of Somalia. Legal weapons on these type of boats such be limited to knives or small handguns like pistols. These heavily armed thugs need to be disarmed to prevent their acts of piracy from taking ships hostage and demanding huge ransoms. 
My proposal is just one idea on how to disarm these thugs and make shipping safer. Somehow the UN needs to give authority to the international ships patrolling these waters to bring order to ship travel off the coastline of Somalia.
So many ships have been attacked by these pirates that something bold and new needs to be done. This situation has become a serious crisis.
Note: Wizbang Blue is now closed and our authors have moved on. Paul Hooson can now be found at Wizbang Pop!. Please come see him there!
Comments (7)
"Somehow the UN needs to give authority to the international ships patrolling these waters to bring order to ship travel off the coastline of Somalia."
That will never happen because such an act would require the nations flagging those ships (or the companies operating them) to accept responsibility for the use of deadly force when dealing with pirates. Then you would have all sorts of opportunity-seekers from Somalia and other third world nations suing the flagging nations for wrongful death, etc. and demanding millions of dollars in restitution. Under that circumstance, I can see lawsuits becoming more profitable than piracy.
Another option would be for the International Criminal Court to rule that nations or shipping companies whose ships were attacked by pirates could not be held liable for the use of deadly force in defending against pirate attacks.
But that will never happen either because the threat of liability, and fear of rebuke by the world community, that currently makes ransom payments the preferred way of dealing with piracy (as opposed to use of deadly force) has created a situation that is beneficial for third world nations by giving them a kind of powerful leverage against the First World. And they will never give up that leverage.
1. Posted by Michael Laprarie | April 12, 2009 9:23 AM
Posted on April 12, 2009 09:23
Here's something bold and new - send a number of vessels with even larger guns than the pirates have to blow the ever loving shit out of them.
I know, I know, too Jeffersonian...
2. Posted by Baron Von Ottomatic | April 12, 2009 9:36 AM
Posted on April 12, 2009 09:36
Our nation should take care of American ships that are legally licensed and flagged in the US. As to the other ships, let their nations take care of them.
It's time to take the gloves off, and use force, unlimited and deadly force to send a message to the pirates: Mess with the US, you will be dead. If a few innocents are killed along with you, TS.
We, as a country, cannot be the world's police force anymore. It's time for other countries to get their asses in gear and help. And screw the UN, they can't fight their way out of a paper bag.
3. Posted by Allen | April 12, 2009 11:46 AM
Posted on April 12, 2009 11:46
It's time to out pirate the pirates. It's a UN job, not ours.
4. Posted by Lee Ward | April 12, 2009 2:59 PM
Posted on April 12, 2009 14:59
When is the last time that the UN actually solved anything? Remember, you can't spell UN-ethical without UN. We need to arm the ships traveling through the area. A couple of .50 cal M2HB's and half dozen assault rifles (and appropriate training) and this problem would cease to exist. Paying ransoms only funds the pirates. Leaving enforcement to the UN or any other country besides the UK or former UK navies is a joke.
5. Posted by Chad | April 13, 2009 1:01 AM
Posted on April 13, 2009 01:01
"Our nation should take care of American ships that are legally licensed and flagged in the US. As to the other ships, let their nations take care of them.
It's time to take the gloves off, and use force, unlimited and deadly force to send a message to the pirates: Mess with the US, you will be dead. If a few innocents are killed along with you, TS.
We, as a country, cannot be the world's police force anymore. It's time for other countries to get their asses in gear and help. And screw the UN, they can't fight their way out of a paper bag."
Wow - so clever and smart... Do you have the slightest idea that you guys are the begger-thy-neighbour champion of the world?
China, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Korea, Japan lend all the money of their people to "you, as a country" financing for the whole "message".
Better start producing innovativ goods and help saving the planet rather than building stupid vessels for billions of dollars against an enemy consisting of poor Africans seeking their luck.
6. Posted by Dromar | April 13, 2009 7:17 PM
Posted on April 13, 2009 19:17
Pirates need to be dealt with, this should not be going on today.
7. Posted by Christina Viering | April 18, 2009 11:14 PM
Posted on April 18, 2009 23:14