In recent years, the instances of piracy off the coast of Somalia have increased at an alarming rate. This week, United States Navy and cargo ships have been specifically targeted because of the Navy's rescue of an American Navy captain from a hostage situation which resulted in the deaths of three Somali pirates. As the danger and violence escalates off the coast of Somalia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today unveiled a plan to reduce the number of pirate attacks. Her plan consists of four main components: a delegation of diplomats being sent to Brussels next week to discuss the problem with Somali leaders, "the US would work with the Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) to expand the multinational response to piracy" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8001102.stm), international discussions on how to freeze assets held by pirates and that countries need to step up and punish the pirates responsibly.
While I believe diplomacy should always be exhausted before any violence should be used, I wonder how much a meeting with diplomats in suits in Europe will help reduce violence off the in the Gulf of Aden. These pirates are, for the most part, using make-shift weapons and rubber boats to attack the Naval forces of developed countries. Why would they listen to their government leaders? It seems as though the United States should not simply work on the problem of Somali pirates, but also look at the conditions that breed the need to go into piracy to survive such as employment, the economy, and the education system of the country itself. Yes, that is a long-term problem that will not immeadiately reduce the pirates, but it seems worthwhile in the long run and I don't think that component of the problem should be overlooked.
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I agree with Doria-pirating in Somalia has got to be put a stop to, and not through peaceful meetings in Europe. However, I'm a bit concerned about Clinton's plan. It seems like it is all talk and no action. Does Clinton really feel that "discussions" (end of first paragraph) will really accomplish anything? And you do have to look at the big picture here and address why the pirates are forced into that career in the first place. Somalia can probably reduce piracy if it creates more jobs and better education opportunities. With more people in school and doing constructive work, the need for stealing will drastically diminish. Just by investing more in its domestic problems, Somalia can solve some of its international problems.
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