NATO flotilla to begin anti-piracy operations

[unhappycamper]

NATO flotilla to begin anti-piracy operations
By Slobodan Lekic - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Oct 23, 2008 6:26:43 EDT

BRUSSELS, Belgium — A NATO flotilla sailing toward the Somali coast will begin anti-piracy operations within the next few days, but officials said Wednesday the alliance was still working out the rules of engagement for the seven ships.

The NATO warships will escort cargo ships carrying U.N. food aid to Somalia and will patrol the pirate-infested shipping lanes off the Somali coast, where 30 ships have been hijacked this year and over 70 have been attacked.

“They will have the rules of engagement that they need, the operational plan that they need. I would not be surprised to see all of this complete in the next two days,” said alliance spokesman James Appathurai.

The seizure Sept. 25 of the Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina, laden with 33 battle tanks and heavy weaponry, has focused international attention on the pirate menace.

U.S. warships have surrounded the Faina for weeks to prevent the pirates from trying to offload the ship’s weapons, and a Russian guided missile frigate Intrepid is traveling to the area.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_nato_piracy_102208/%2e