by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright April 9, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

         Seized by Somali pirates April 8 off the Horn of Africa, U.S. Capt. Richard Phillips awaits his fate floating helplessly in a lifeboat with his Somali captors.  While the U.S.-flagged Danish freighter Masersk Alabama managed to regain control of the vessel, Phillips remained hostage agreeing, for the sake of his crew, to go with his captors in a lifeboat.  Meanwhile, FBI hostage negotiators joined a U.S. Navy frigate attempting to free Capt. Phillips, the first U.S. seaman seized by pirates in 200 years.  Scores of other foreign freighters have been captured by Somali pirates, demanding hundreds of millions of dollars in ransom in recent years.  Somali, off the east coast of central Africa, virtually operates without a government, creating a safe-haven for terrorists and other outlaws.  Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of Sept. 11, operated from Sudan and Somalia before moving to Afghanistan in 1992

            Before hitting the World Trade Center and Pentagon in 2001, Bin Laden suicide bombed the U.S.S. guided missile frigate Cole in the Somali Port of Aden Oct. 12, 2000, blasting a 25-foot hole, killing 17 U.S. sailors.  It was just a matter of time before Somali pirates hit U.S. interests.  World response to Somali pirates has been piecemeal, tolerating unlawful acts over the last few years.  While there’s no known connection with Somali pirates and Bin Laden, they represent a menacing problem to international maritime commerce.  Negotiating with Somali pirates won’t be easy but they’re a different breed from Islamic terrorists.  Driven by booty, Somali pirates aren’t interested in political statements.  With the lifeboat out of fuel, the U.S.S. Bainbridge on the scene and armed guards already aboard the Alabama, the U.S. has tightened its noose on the Somali pirates.

            More U.S. assets are on the way to the Horn of Africa to lend assistance.  Official U.S. position on hostage-taking and kidnapping prohibit ransoms, despite practical considerations.  To get Capt. Phillips out safely, hostage negotiators will have to meet at least some of the pirates’ demands, including cash and safe passage.  A shootout would likely end poorly.  President Barack Obama refused comment, suggesting that negotiations are presently underway for Phillips’ release.  “We want to ensure that we will have the capability that might be needed over the course of the coming days,” said Cencom Commander Gen. David Petraeus, the former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.  Capt. Phillips finds himself in a 24 ft. fiberglass lifeboat, with enough food for about 34 people for 10 days.  U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder indicated FBI hostage negotiation team assisted the Navy.

            Calling the situation a “standoff,” FBI spokesman Richard Kolko indicated that the pirates understood their limited options.  “They can see it with their eyes,” said Kolko, admitting that the pirates couldn’t escape.  Holding Phillips gives them some leverage, perhaps for some cash and safe passage.  They’re hundreds of miles away from Somalia, preferring to harass ships off the Horn of Africa than the more heavily patrolled waters near the Port of Aden..  “He said the pirates were desperate,” said Zoya Quinn, the wife of second mate Ken Quinn, speaking by cell phone and e-mail.  Negotiating with hostage-takers involves a clever combination of empathy and intimidation, rather than a game of chicken to see who blinks first.  Getting Phillips out safely should guide the FBI to compromise on areas typically nonnegotiable.  Once Phillips is safely out, the military should pull no punches.

            Using predator drones, the same kind used to hunt down Taliban and al-Qaidia in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the U.S. should hone in on Somali pirates.  U.S. authorities should show no mercy eradicating the scourge on the open seas.  French, Russian, Saudi Arabian and Chinese authorities have been too lax in dealing with the severity of the Somalia pirates.  “They’ve got only one guy, they’ve go nowhere to hide him, they’ve got no way to defend themselves effectively against the military who are on the way and they are hundreds of miles from Somalia,” said piracy expert Roger Middleton of the London-based think tank Chatham House, believing the pirates are in “a very, very tight corner,” seeing the leverage with U.S. authorities.  Seven ships were hijacked by Somali pirates during the last week, attesting to a critical need for military action.  Negotiating for Phillips release won’t solve the problem.

            Somali pirates underscore the need for more international cooperation.   U.S. predator drone technology can go a long way in preventing more hijackings in the future.  Whether or not the hijackers value their own lives shouldn’t stop U.S. authorities from aggressively pursuing pirates wherever possible.  Before the problem gets solved, freighters should carry the firepower needed to stop pirates from profiting on human misery.  “There’s always a potential for tragedy here, and when people feel their options are limited, they sometimes react in more unpredictable ways,” said retired FBI hostage negotiator Steve Romano.  While the U.S. does not officially negotiate with terrorists, they must deal with pirates to safeguard the life of Capt. Phillips.  Whether or not authorities loose some ransom, it’s a small price to pay for saving a courageous captain who sacrificed himself for his crew.

 About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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