EU Navy Launches first mission against Somali Pirates!

For the first time ever the European Union has dispacted a Naval Force of 6 ships equiped with 3 surveillance planes to combat the Somali Pirates that have attacked over 100 ships.

Eight countries will provide ships and support for a year to provide escort and will also carry out anti-pirate operations.

EU Navy projects its power for the first time!

It looks like the United States is finally getting badly needed help as the worlds policeman. This maybe the beginning of the EU's projection of power as an emerging world power?

I will be interested to see how they perform and there is even talk of China sending their fleet to the area. That's alot of super power Navies in a small area! Yikes, I hope everyone minds their manners!

Chinesse General Calls for Naval Forces to Go fight Pirates!

[edit on 12/7/08 by mel1962]

Pirates have been realizing that no one owns the oceans and holding ships for ransom has been easy and profitable. Its a big problem in Southeast Asia aswell. Its nice to see the EU being useful. I think the United Nations might need to get involved and clean up the waters.

reply to post by secret space


I am interested in how they perform and than if the Chinese get involved it could get interesting. But something has to be done, all this piracy is just adding to the misery of the world.

Originally posted by secret space
I think the United Nations might need to get involved and clean up the waters.

The UN has been involved from the start, hence the dispatch of the International forces. I am curious as to your opinion on the UN, as you imply that they have been doing nothing.

The UN is only as effective as the Security Council, which consists of the 5 permanent members with veto power, namely the US, the UK, France, Russia and China. So far, the UNSC has been a bit wishy washy with it's resolutions. But that is hardly the UN at fault, but politics between the Big Five.

Also, what the hell is the EU Navy? The EU has no military at all.

Using the EU moniker sounds so much nicer than NATO. This is a NATO action driven by Europe to do something.

Russia and China would never agree to help a NATO operation, after all; we are all enemies of each other. However, China and Russia will help out a EU naval force for pirates.

reply to post by stumason


More of an EU Combined Naval Task Force, EU Navy sounds better. I don't think the UN will get involved from the military front. Somali is the wild wild west of the world!

reply to post by mel1962


Well, technically, the EU task force is operating under UN resolution 1844, which gives them the added right of "hot pursuit", which allows them to enter Somali waters when chasing pirates.

The previous resolution 1838 didn't give them this right. There is no further need for a UN commanded task force as they have enabled all nations to act against the pirates with the above resolution.

In this case, the UN has done it's job. It has given eberyone the legal framework in which to take care of the pirate problem. If they were to start dictating who did what, to whom, where and how, then they have overstepped their remit.

Originally posted by mel1962

It looks like the United States is finally getting badly needed help as the worlds policeman. This maybe the beginning of the EU's projection of power as an emerging world power?

I take exception to that. It's a role in which America has repeatedly placed itself under its own volition. There's a great many people across the world that would rather America didn't act as the 'world's policeman'.

reply to post by Merriman Weir


Indeed. The role of "world policeman" is a self inposed one and is a role which is, almost unanimously, rejected by the rest of the world.

Europe has plenty of "soft power" at it's disposal which the US lacks. Just because the Americans have a dozen CBG's, it shouldn't be a measure of how influential they are on the world stage.

Why I agree that we Americans have imposed that term of the "world's policeman" and abused our powers in some cases, like Iraq.

I firmly believe that the day to day operations of our armed forces, especially our Navy keep the shipping lanes open, which are the global highways of commerce and vital to everyone's well being.

However, our misuse and delegation of forces in the middle east have allowed pirates to propogate in Somalia and parts of Asia. We have not performed our normal duties, hopefully that changes with the new president. But, I believe we all need to work together to keep the world safe for free movement of goods.

Originally posted by mel1962
But, I believe we all need to work together to keep the world safe for free movement of goods.

I agree. Maybe after this EU taskforce has finished with Somalia, they can sail out of the Indian Ocean into the Gulf of Mexico and do something about that trade embargo with Cuba?

Originally posted by Merriman Weir

Originally posted by mel1962
But, I believe we all need to work together to keep the world safe for free movement of goods.

I agree. Maybe after this EU taskforce has finished with Somalia, they can sail out of the Indian Ocean into the Gulf of Mexico and do something about that trade embargo with Cuba?

That is very funny!

But, seriously, I have always disagreed with that policy, unfortunately no previous President has had the guts to go against the Anti-Castro Cubans in South Florida. But, as they die off and the younger generation wants relations with Cuba that could change in the next year or two with Obama. Not trading with Cuba makes no sense, we trade with Communist China!

[edit on 12/7/08 by mel1962]

Originally posted by mel1962
That is very funny!

But, seriously, I have always disagreed with that policy, unfortunately no previous President has had the guts to go against the Anti-Castro Cubans in South Florida. But, as they die off and the younger generation wants relations with Cuba that could change in the next year or two with Obama. Not trading with Cuba makes no sense, we trade with Communist China!

[edit on 12/7/08 by mel1962]

Heh, glad you didn't take it personally. Although, obviously I'm aware that you're not responsible for the embargo either!

The 'Cuba' thing is a rum one, no mistake. I don't think many people actually think it does make sense in 2008 and in the way America's outward stance at least has altered regarding other traditional foes.

I think some really silly people are starting World War 3.

I'm *not* a Muslim, but I recommend visiting www.noi.org... where you can hear live webcasts from Minister Louis Farrakhan & the Nation of Islam.