Posted on 04/12/2009 11:00:01 AM PDT by bimboeruption
MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) - An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a U.S. Navy operation that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a senior U.S. intelligence official said. One of the pirates was wounded and in custody after a swift firefight, the official said.
Capt. Richard Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
A government official and others in Somali with knowledge of the situation had reported hours earlier that negotiations for Phillips' release had broken down.
The district commissioner of the central Mudug region said talks went on all day Saturday, with clan elders from his area talking by satellite telephone and through a translator with Americans, but collapsed late Saturday night.
"The negotiations between the elders and American officials have broken down. The reason is American officials wanted to arrest the pirates in Puntland and elders refused the arrest of the pirates," said the commissioner, Abdi Aziz Aw Yusuf. He said he organized initial contacts between the elders and the Americans.
Two other Somalis, one involved in the negotiations and another in contact with the pirates, also said the talks collapsed because of the U.S. insistence that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.
Phillips' crew of 19 American sailors reached safe harbor in Kenya's northeast port of Mombasa on Saturday night under guard of U.S. Navy Seals, exhilarated by their freedom but mourning the absence of Phillips.
Crew members said their ordeal had begun with the Somali pirates hauling themselves up from a small boat bobbing on the surface of the Indian Ocean far below.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Either/or Palin and Coburn. I LOVED Sarah when she ran. She
was a breath of fresh air in the fetid atmosphere of DC-insiders!
I need to learn more about Coburn, but I like what I heard here! And thanks for your “report”. It helped a bunch!
Every time I see a phote of zero 0booooomba, I hate that lying sniveling POS traitor more & more!!! God bless the brave souls & Captain Philips for their courage & strength, no thanks to zero 0boooooomba, you commie pig POS!!!
Yes, I believe he had a 3 pm briefing with the Teleprompter...
I'd appreciate it if you'd fill me in, druby.
I've got it on now...that idiot Gerry Rivers is on...and I don't see what you're seeing.
Affirmative. Entire US military is best trained, most disciplined, ever.
All we need is a CIC.
Teleprompter was unavailable for comment....
You are a nut. This is a good day and we should all be pleased this captain has been freed and America’s reputation is intact.
why bring politics into this in such an ugly way? Go USA!
Much as I don't like him either, here are the facts about his name:
The only good pirate is a DEAD PIRATE!
“FOX REPORT”—Sheperd Smith’s show usually, but sometimes it is used for breaking news, I believe.
Just a guess, but I think the hull is fiberglass and probably between .25 and .5 “ thick. The reports I heard said that the two had their heads out of the hatch and in the clear.
The third was said to be visible through the windshield or possibly a window.
just an intriguing thought,
CC
The law prevents cutting ropes in foregin lands and international waters?
This is not going to go down well in the Obama muzzie bow to world.
To hear the MSM tell it, you'd believe Obama was one of the seals pulling the trigger as he's getting just as much credit. Listening in the background to someone on Morning Joe explain that because of Obama's popularity at home and abroad and his approach to be bold, strong and steadfast is what brought this to a successful conclusion. We're doomed as the public will continue to buy into this crap and hail him the second coming.
I believe the poster was talking about weapons, in regards to the other countries, and then also the liability factor that the shipping companies would have, and that insurance companies wouldn’t cover them...
FoxNews just had a special report from Bob Newman, Special Ops, Ret.
Navy negotiated with pirates, telling them their boat was drifting into unfriendly waters (southern Somalia) and they, themselves, would be captured and their hostage (Capt Philips) might be taken from them. “They bought it,” and allowed their boat to be tied to the US ship.
One pirate wanted to phone home. He was allowed to boat over to the US ship. While onboard, he was eating and waving at his friends holding Capt Philips on the lifeboat — as they were shot.
Newman said the event had 3 shots, 3 hits, 3 dead pirates.
==
[The made-for-TV movie should be interesting to watch.]
Which is basically all he knows how to do.
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