UN Security Council launches fight against Somalia pirates (Roundup)

Oct 7, 2008, 17:32 GMT

New York - The UN Security Council on Tuesday authorized for the first time foreign navies and aircraft operating off Somalia's coast to use force to stop the continuing bold seizures of ships by pirates.

Some of the ships were carrying humanitarian supplies donated by governments under UN relief programmes to assist the estimated 3.5 million Somalians who continue to depend on international food aid.

The 15-nation council unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by France, the current European Union president, allowing states whose 'naval vessels and military aircraft operate on the high seas and airspace off the coast of Somalia to use the necessary means ... for the repression of acts of piracy.'

It called on those states to cooperate with the transitional government in Mogadishu in the fight against piracy and armed robbery.

It also called on those states to respect the Convention on the Law of the Sea, which sets territorial limits to all countries.

Somalia's 3,025-kilometre coastline has been known as one of the world's most dangerous because of the country's decades of lawlessness, civil wars and a total lack of governance.

French Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said the EU in Brussels plans to send a mission to Somalia to discuss what the European bloc can do to stop piracy. Ripert said pirates are killing Somalians on a daily basis.

Naval vessels from Canada, France, the Netherlands and Denmark have been providing escort to ships carrying relief supplies for Somalia. But Canada said it will terminate its tour of duty on October 23 and the UN is asking another government to replace that country.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday the EU and other nations are discussing a replacement for Canada.

'Without escorts, those ships will not arrive,' he said. 'Without that aid, more people will die.'

Somali pirates last month seized a Ukrainian freighter loaded with weapons and tanks reportedly destined for either Kenya or Sudan. The pirates were not aware of the shipments until they captured it and demanded a ransom of up to 30 million dollars for the unexpected booty.

US naval vessels have been monitoring the freighter to prevent the pirates from unloading the military equipment.

The pirates in the past year have seized several ships, including luxury yachts and tourist vessels, and tried to cash in on their owners.