NATO extends anti-piracy mission off Somalia

[tocqueville]

Source: AP

By SLOBODAN LEKIC, Associated Press Writer Slobodan Lekic, Associated Press Writer – 38 mins ago

BRUSSELS – NATO will retain a long-term naval presence off the Horn of Africa, where its anti-piracy flotilla has been key to the international patrols preventing attacks on merchant shipping in one of the world's busiest sea lanes, ministers said Friday.

The alliance flotilla operating in the region will sail home at the end of the month. But ministers said they decided to dispatch a follow-on force known as Standing Maritime Force 2.

"Permanent groups from NATO are going to continue to be present ... in this complex challenge to eradicate piracy," Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacon said.

A NATO flotilla has been stationed off Somalia since November. It was joined by an EU squadron, a U.S.-led task force, and ships from a number of other nations including China, India, Malaysia and Russia.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090612/ap_on_re_eu/eu_nato_defense_ministers

[Vidar]

1. Probably a good idea. Seems to be working.

[tocqueville]

2. the problem is that it isn't

1) the US Navy doesn't have enough ships of "the right type" to send to the area
2) it has to rely on less "reliable" navies in matter of efficiency (NATO outsiders like Ukraine etc...)
3) it still cannot arrest the pirates unless they directly attack a NATO ship. So they have to release them.

the EUNAVFOR is of the same size but has a bilateral deal with Kenya for inprisonment.

at best the NATO force will work as a deterrent and the most useful part will be the AWACS.

[Vidar]

3. Thanks for the additional information.