NATO planning new anti-piracy mission

[unhappycamper]

NATO planning new anti-piracy mission
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 19, 2009 11:38:49 EST

KRAKOW, Poland — NATO is planning to deploy a new naval flotilla in the coming months to combat piracy off Somalia, a spokesman for the alliance said Thursday.

“Based on discussions, you can expect to see another NATO naval operation off the lawless coastline of Somalia next spring in the general effort to combat piracy,” NATO spokesman James Appathurai told reporters at a meeting of defense ministers.

In November, NATO sent four warships to the waters off the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden to stem a surge of pirate attacks against merchant shipping in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes.

They were replaced in December by a European Union task force, which will remain in place until the end of 2009. A number of other countries, including China, Russia and India, also have contributed warships to the international effort to combat piracy.

Still, pirate attacks have continued, and NATO has been considering sending a follow-on force to reinforce it.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_nato_piracy_021909/%2e