http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=46383
“Administration’s Comments on Piracy Left to State Dept. Spokesman Thursday”
Thursday, April 09, 2009
By Susan Jones, Senior Editor
(CNSNews.com) –
SNIPPET: “Wood said the current hijacking shows the importance of “working with all of our partners.” He also talked about “some mechanisms in place” and the effort “to try to develop other mechanisms to deal with the question.”
“We do not negotiate with terrorists,” Wood told a reporter, but he did not answer a question on whether pirates are terrorists. “I don’t want to talk about what we may or may not do with this particular case.”
As for the instability and chaos in Somalia, Wood said, “We’ve been trying to provide support for the transitional government there; we’ve encouraged others to do so…but this is a question for the entire international community to deal with...”
President Barack Obama on Thursday refused to answer questions about the hostage situation off the coast of Somalia.
The president was asked about the incident as he met with U.S. homeowners to discuss refinancing mortgages. At the close of the White House event, the president was asked by a reporter if he was concerned about the piracy incident.
Obama responded: “Guys, we’re talking about housing right now.”
Reporters were then ushered out of the room as they usually are after such events.”