'Pirates threw their weapons overboard'

[Omaha Steve]

Source: IOL

The Hague - Dutch marines have disarmed 17 suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia and the Seychelles islands, the Dutch defence ministry said Monday.

The Dutch frigate Hr. Ms. Tromp encountered seven suspected pirates Sunday evening and 10 on Monday as part of a European Union anti-piracy mission in the lawless waters off the Horn of Africa nation.

"On both Sunday and Monday the pirates threw their weapons overboard while the frigate Tromp was trying to stop them," said ministry spokesman Robin Middel.

The marines searched the vessels to make sure there were no weapons on board, and then due to a lack of evidence sent the suspected pirates off on two boats.


Read more: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20100329211258604C654515

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[demosincebirth]

1. I guess they didn't see them throw the weapons over board. Why even give chase?

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. "lack of evidence"??

[wroberts189]

3. Haha ..funny pic. :) nt

[Renew Deal]

4. Lack of evidence?

They should sink them on sight!

[Regret My New Name]

5. Would have to be extra careful to ensure they truly are pirates...

It only takes one screw up to cause much damage. Such an incident could be used as recruiting tool by extremist in the area. Remember hearing about all the stuff about Islamic fundies in the area taking control? Also, it could easily make it more difficult to get cooperation from the governments in the area (not matter now limited in power they may be)... I dunno, not saying nothing should be done, just saying that it has to be done in an intelligent manner or it could be problematic. Either way though, these anti-piracy missions are really just band-aids when you think about it. The only way to truly prevent piracy is to stabilize the area and bring about economic development for the people. Otherwise the world is going to be running these anti-piracy missions for a long long time.

[Turbineguy]

6. I don't think the vessel's namesake would have done it that way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maarten_Tromp

He would have raised the bloodflag and blown them to smithereens.

[Possumpoint]

7. Think I Would Have

Sent them home too after drilling a very large hole in the bottom of their boat.

[Rapier09]

8. As the French say

Les Hollandais etais "tromper"

The Dutch were wrong/deceived.