Spain appeals to NATO, US to help end Somali hostage crisis

AFP ^ | 4/21/08 | N/A

[Dawnsblood]

Spain appealed to France, the United States and NATO on Monday for help in ending a crisis sparked when pirates seized 26 crew members of a Spanish fishing boat off the Somali coast.

The defence ministry said a Spanish military frigate was heading to the area off east Africa, where the pirates have demanded money for the release of the crew, a day after storming the vessel armed with grenade launchers.

It said the ship would arrive in 24 to 36 hours.

Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega chaired a meeting of senior cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and Defence Minister Carme Chacon, to discuss the crisis.

"We have sought the help of France and the United States," two countries with a military presence in the area, a Spanish government spokesman said.

The defence ministry "has already entered into contact with NATO authorities," the government said in a statement.

It said Madrid is also in contact with "Britain and other allied countries and friends with a military presence in the area."

[Billthedrill]

You are absolutely right. This isn't an issue suitable for political infighting - high-seas piracy never is. For force projection ashore (should it come to that) there are two NATO navies that might manage it and only one that has anyone in the area (of which I'm aware).

Given that there are hostages it may be that inshore warfare is less likely than, say, a blockade of sorts. Either way it's going to require assets that the Spanish navy doesn't have.

[Night Hides Not]

This isn't an issue suitable for political infighting

Thanks for your reasoned responses. As much as I would like to show recalcitrant allies the back of my hand, there are times when you simply can't.

In retrospect, President Bush has accomplished the task for us, based on the cold shoulder he gave to Zapatero at the last NATO meeting.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Maybe the Spanish should ask the French for a copy of their instruction manual on “How to handle Somalian Pirates”. I wonder how Franco (Yes he’s still dead.) would have handled the mater? (Rhet.)

[JPJones]

What Gaul.

[ZX12R]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with telling Spain to handle it themselves.