Senator Kerry responds to latest pirate attack off the coast of Somalia.

[wisteria]

BOSTON – Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to a pirate attack on a U.S. flagged ship off the coast of Somalia.



“These acts of piracy off of Somalia’s coastline may seem surreal, but they’re all too real and a thorough policy debate is long overdue. When Americans, including at least one from Massachusetts, are endangered, you’ve got a complicated and dangerous international situation brewing, and that includes questions about a hot pursuit policy on Somalia’s coastline. There have been more than 50 attacks in the area this year alone and the problem isn’t going away. I plan to hold hearings to further examine the growing threat of piracy and all the policy options that need to be on the table before the next fire drill becomes an international incident with big implications.”


This is not the first time he has comment on this growing problem. He has suggest "hot pursuit" similar to a tactic he used in Vietnam. Maybe that is what needs to be done instead of remaining passive- take them by surprise and pursue them.

Sorry, no link. I received this notice by e-mail.

[wisteria]

1. Here is a followup from Senator Kerry on this situation.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/04/kerry_lawmakers.html



A rigorous policy debate "is long overdue," said Kerry, a Democrat and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a statement issued yesterday. "When Americans, including at least one from Massachusetts, are endangered, you’ve got a complicated and dangerous international situation brewing, and that includes questions about a hot pursuit policy on Somalia’s coastline."

[BlueIris]

2. 50 attacks? Holy crap.

Piracy in the 21st century. That IS surreal.

[wisteria]

3. I have heard as many as 60 and as long as they continue to get away with this

the attacks will get worse. This is a way of life-a job for these pirates.

[karynnj]

4. Thanks for this

The pirates are getting a lot of attention. It is too bad that nothing was done back in December when it was becoming a problem and no American ship had been seized. It would have been easier to contain then.

[wisteria]

5. I am hoping for a peaceful rescue of the captain. It just seems to be taking so long

and now I am reading the pirates are demanding 2 million dollars for his release. After his release, I hope this growing problem is given high attention and something is done to contain these pirates.

[wisteria]

6. I should have provided a link earlier, but I didn't have time to track it down.

But, with this matter taken on such importance, people are now claiming that Senator Kerry is just riding the wave on this matter. This is not true. Please review the link from the Boston Globe from 12/2008. At the time I read this piece, I also saw Fox News reported on this also which of course resulted in a lot of RW BS being hurled at Senator Kerry.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2008/12/30/kerry_suggests_hot_pursuit_of_pirates/


"Nearly 40 years later, as incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Kerry favors using hot pursuit against pirates in the waters off Somalia, but urges a cautious approach before US officials consider sending American forces to chase them ashore. Kerry plans committee hearings next year looking at the problems posed by piracy."

[MH1]

7. I've heard that there are some possibly legit grievances behind the piracy

Haven't had time to study it and don't believe it's a justification, but if there are some policy issues or some exploitation going on, I hope JK will include looking at those things in his hearings. I believe he understands we need to get at the root cause of what is happening.

[wisteria]

8. I agree. He said this matter needs to be approached cautiously.

And, he is aware of the need for international assistance.

[beachmom]

9. The Captain who was taken hostage to appear at Pirate hearing:

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/rescued-captain-to-testify-on-piracy-2009-04-29.html

The merchant captain who was rescued from a lifeboat after being held by Somali pirates for five days will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.

Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama, and Maersk chairman John Clancey are scheduled as witnesses at a hearing to address the growing threat of maritime piracy.

Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry had called for piracy hearings while Phillips was still being held hostage. The captain was freed and all but one of his captors killed by sniper fire in a dramatic Easter Sunday rescue operation by the U.S. Navy.

"Almost every day brings news of yet another attack on a cargo ship or a tanker carrying humanitarian aid, oil, or even weapons, as well as a usually defenseless crew," said Kerry. "These attacks have also cost innocent lives.

"I am confident that tomorrow’s hearing will generate ideas about how best to address this important problem and lay the groundwork for an effective and enduring solution.”

[wisteria]

10. Oh, this is great. Thank you for posting this. This is an important issue and I hope it will be

available for viewing.

[beachmom]

11. Good article on the hearing:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jDwPwVBkcirkTon7pMMfS63vhNGgD97T2ASG0

I liked this part:

Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., asked Phillips whether he was going to return to sea in the dangerous region off the Horn of Africa. Phillips said he would.

Curious, Kerry asked whether that was OK with Phillips' wife. Behind the captain, Andrea Phillips nodded.

"She's a good wife. She supports whatever I" decide, Phillips answered.

Kerry's eyebrows went up.

"I couldn't get away with that," he noted, referring to his outspoken wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.

I bet you he heard an earful after getting stuck in the mountains of Afghanistan.

[karynnj]

12. LOL

I bet he did as well - though I bet her main reaction was happiness that he made it home. The captain's job might have the option to request no coast of Somalia assignments. It was kind of a weird question - though it sounded like Kerry was pushing him to state changes he might want - which he didn't do before.

I think Kerry's question was better than reported as it asked if he would go back if nothing was changed.

[wisteria]

13. Sweet. n/t

[beachmom]

14. And a snarky article by Dana Milbank (does he do anything but snark?):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/30/AR2009043004204_2.html?sid=ST2009043004469

For some reason, it didn't bother me, maybe because his pot shots were aimed at every Senator at the hearing. No one was spared.

[beachmom]

15. Okay, Washington Times. Um, yuck.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/01/iwashington-timesi-makes_n_194522.html

[wisteria]

17. Yes, and that one, what an a**hole offering up the same old tired Innuendo from 2004

and thinking that people are interested in it. This guy needs to grow up.

[karynnj]

18. Wow, that was pretty unbelievable - and it is changed on the WT

It reflects really badly on them, not the Senator. I notice that they also have Kerry's comment wrong at the end.

[wisteria]

16. I think the guy is insecure and does this as a type of bullying.

I thought he comments were childish and unfunny. But, like you, I don't think they are worth commenting on. I would rather not give him my time or attention.