NATO forces let captured pirates go
posted at 10:45 am on April 18, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
First, the good news — NATO forces freed 20 hostages from the grips of pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Dutch commandos chased the pirates back to their mother ship, seized the ship, and liberated the hostages. Good for them; job well done.
Until …
Dutch commandos freed 20 Yemeni hostages on Saturday and briefly detained seven pirates who had forced their captives to sail a “mother ship” attacking vessels in the Gulf of Aden, NATO officials said. …
The commandos briefly detained and questioned the seven gunmen, he told Reuters, but had no legal power to arrest them.
“NATO does not have a detainment policy. The warship must follow its national law,” he said.
“They can only arrest them if the pirates are from the Netherlands, the victims are from the Netherlands, or if they are in Netherlands waters.”
That’s certainly a deterrent. Maybe they’ll wait until NATO comes back with a search warrant, or perhaps a social worker to see whether the pirates could use some public assistance, too. Sweden was tougher on The Pirate Bay this week than NATO was on actual pirates.
All NATO did in this instance is provide more incentive for this group of pirates to steal someone else’s boat, and for the rest of the pirates to laugh at the impotence of the West. The next time, though, this group will have improved its technique after the free lesson from the Dutch. They won’t get caught so easily after this.
Instead of delivering a message of strength, NATO sent the message that pirates have more rights than the traders sailing through those waters. The only way these pirates should have been released was in the middle of the Indian Ocean with nothing but lifejackets and a bucket of chum each. Until the world gets serious in the 19th-century way about pirates — which nearly wiped it out altogether — we will never end it in the 21st century.
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Oy.
And to think the reasonable course of action is indeed to kill every last one of them. i’ll never understand otherwise reasonable people who prefer weakness in times like this.
ernesto on April 18, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Kinder, gentler, deader.
Limerick on April 18, 2009 at 10:47 AM
What ever happened to walking the plank?
RobCon on April 18, 2009 at 10:48 AM
How about shooting them and turning them into sharkbait?
conservnut on April 18, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Jus cogenz. Pirates have no rights, and no nation may fail to discharge its duty to punish them. This was as much a violation of international law as piracy is.
Akzed on April 18, 2009 at 10:49 AM
So is the point behind this leniancy that we don’t want the rest of the world to think we’re all just a bunch of meanies that don’t want the pirates to be able to make a living, or what?
anniekc on April 18, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Pirate chum. Delicious.
anniekc on April 18, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Ahhh… but wait…
Lawsuit for false imprisonment in 5… 4…. 3….
Romeo13 on April 18, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Shoot first arrest later.
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Are the Dutch signatories to LOST? I can see a UN treaty requiring the releaseof pirates. What else can be expected of that corrupt org?
DerKrieger on April 18, 2009 at 10:51 AM
I’d have settled for fragging the engine on the boat and setting them adrift. After dumping their weapons overboard that is.
Limerick on April 18, 2009 at 10:52 AM
the pirates were probably dutch. couldn’t the dutch commando captain lie?
kelley in virginia on April 18, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Not another dime for the feckless NATO. We’re insane.
Mojave Mark on April 18, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Reminds me of the Italians releasing the Achille Lauro hijackers.
getalifes, all of them.
Del Dolemonte on April 18, 2009 at 10:55 AM
This is just yet another display of the weakness and white cultural guilt that has settled over Western civilization and that is allowing for the slow colonization of Europe by Muslims and of the US by Latin Americans. We’re so damned afraid to “offend” someone or to display any confidence, or even acknowledge, in Western civilization that we bend over backward to pretend we’re no better than anyone else. Moral and cultural relativism madness driving suicidal political correctness and multiculturalism.
This is a pernicious disease we must cleanse from our culture.
DerKrieger on April 18, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Until the world gets serious in the 19th-century way about pirates — which nearly wiped it out altogether — we will never end it in the 21st century.
The Fifth Fleet was given the explicit task of anti-piracy and acts as the coordinator of the joint anti-piracy task force as well. Why bother?
Seriously, the costs of maintaining naval ships at sea isn’t cheap.
Getting a unified anti-piracy plan underway requires real leadership. Apparently, there is none? Or was Obama being away from the White Hosue and WH commo (whilst glad-handing Chavez) preventing him from personally taking charge of the anti-piracy effort?
Not surprising, it was the Dutch who let these pirates go. Guess they didn’t want to end up like Geert Wilders, remember him? Condemned at home and abroad because he dared to be pro-Dutch and anti-Islam?
There is a simple solution to all of this Somali piracy…but it will take leadership, and commitment, and a bit of actual effort…not more campaign speeches or toadying up to Latin American despots.
[Has anyone else noticed that this Administration moves from one problem to another without actually ever having done anything about each, save to make another televised speech?]
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Oh I’m sure the white house will release a statement that they approved the action to rescue the hostages….twice…
conservnut on April 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Predator+ hellfires= dead pirates.
BallisticBob on April 18, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Maybe the Dutch wanted to get back to Amsterdam for their legal recreational drugs.
What is the point of their deployment is this is what they do if successful?
Right_of_Attila on April 18, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Yeah, the real problem is the legal frameword under which each Navy is working… and its been that way for many many years.
BUT, a UN Security Council Resolution could make Somali waters a Free Fire Zone, and allow for countries to Search, Take, and Hold, suspected Pirate Vessels… to turn over to some Central Authority…
That way, just like in the Arms Embargo in the Gulf, you have a lot more legal ability to search, and hold, vessels on just the suspision of wrong doing….
But until they do some LEGAL reworking… most countries Navys, including ours, are powerless to really fix this.
Romeo13 on April 18, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Yeah, and those speeches always seem to include some big new expensive way to waste more tax dollars. A coast to coast rail system? On top of health care? On top of education reform? On top of bailing out all his pet projects? There’s no end to Barry’s ability to stretch a dollar, I guess.
anniekc on April 18, 2009 at 11:02 AM
This is a perfect exclamation point to what has become of Western society. By the numbers Europe is a dying culture that Islam is easily going to take over. They deserve their coming fate.
patrick neid on April 18, 2009 at 11:04 AM
That certainly explains why Wesley Clarke simply bombed the Bosnian Christians. NATO doesn’t detain.
Civilized.
maverick muse on April 18, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I’m surprised the Dutch didn’t share some weed with the pirates before sending them off. Did they make sure they gave the pirates their RPG’s and AK’s back as well?
GarandFan on April 18, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Ah . . . they’re just poor, unfortunate slugs that have missed the advantages of life. This is sick, but typical of Obambi’s world
rplat on April 18, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Dude, admitting you’re getting a Conservative streak is the first step in achieving total consciousness. Use The Force Luke!
hawkdriver on April 18, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Maybe the pirates just gave the Dutch a couple pounds of Somali-Wowie in exchange for letting them go… I hear that shit is hard to get…
TheBigOldDog on April 18, 2009 at 11:13 AM
This is the quote of the week.
Well-Armed Lamb on April 18, 2009 at 11:19 AM
[Has anyone else noticed that this Administration moves from one problem to another without actually ever having done anything about each, save to make another televised speech?]
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I have noticed. I also imagine Obama, and most of his staff curled up in corners, knees to chests, holding their hands over their ears, rocking back, and forth, and repeating over, and over….Make it go away, make it go away, make it go away.
capejasmine on April 18, 2009 at 11:19 AM
ive always had one, it was just immigration. as time went on and i spent a few years sparring here, especially on topics like higher ed with bryan back when he posted here. once i started studying politics as an undergrad i developed the more realist bent on foreign policy. its just some of the other domestics that i just dont get as heated over. though after that tea party thats up for a bit of a change too :-)
ernesto on April 18, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Its all about the Press cycle… not about getting anything fixed.
Romeo13 on April 18, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Hold the lifejackets; they tend to get caught in the sharks’ teeth.
steveegg on April 18, 2009 at 11:21 AM
I’m all in favor of setting them free again, under the right conditions: a) take as much or as little as you can carry on your 5 mile swim back to shore and b)you get a 30 second head start. After that we start shooting.
Seriously though, this is insane. Pirates, by choosing to place themselves outside the law ought to be treated as outlaws, without protection for the law. Kill them on sight.
Arrrgh.
Fallen Sparrow on April 18, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I blame the President.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 11:23 AM
The way they should have let these scumbags “go” is with a rope around their necks, high from a yardarm where they had to fall a long way.
Webrider on April 18, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Its a travesty those guys went to jail anyway. when are people gonna realize theres really no such thing a as a digital commodity
ernesto on April 18, 2009 at 11:25 AM
of NATO.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 11:25 AM
It appears that NATO is as useless as the U.N. What boneheads!
GFW on April 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM
All ship owners need to do is create a few industry groups and fill the pockets of judges and politicians with cash the way the music and movie industry have. Then the Gulf of Aden will be filled with floating, bloated Somali Pirate bodies.
TheBigOldDog on April 18, 2009 at 11:34 AM
What a useless group – have to wonder why we bothered asking for additional troop commitments to NATO if they can’t do anything.
katiejane on April 18, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Has anyone else noticed that this Administration moves from one problem to another without actually ever having done anything about each, save to make another televised speech?]
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 10:56 AM
BetseyRoss on April 18, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I’m sorry, but I think you’re talking about hurting people, breaking things, and privileging one set of values over another. Streng verboten, dude. Instead of worrying about addressing the problem before it gets out of hand, it might be a better use of your time to brush up on Somali for the next “Talk like a pirate” day.
My guess – and it’s only a guess – is that BHO gave some thought to going all Roman on these guys, but quickly concluded that too many Muslim db’s would ugly up the ongoing Bush-bash and charm offensive. I wouldn’t expect him to pick a mole to whack until and unless his popularity has taken a major dive, and he senses he needs to establish credibility or face total collapse.
CK MacLeod on April 18, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Ummmmm, wait, there’s some logical disconnect here…somehow, the words “UN” and “Resolution” and “Free Fire Zone” don’t seem to, well, blend.
I mean, we’re talking about Somali pirates, not anything to do with attacking Israel or the USA….
MrScribbler on April 18, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Why all the sudden are people outraged about letting the pirates go? THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW!!
EXAMPLE: September 17, 2008
Bicyea on April 18, 2009 at 11:46 AM
NATO should hire some Chincom fisherman, I sure they would take care of business given their performance against a US Navy vessel.
dmann on April 18, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Simple solution: summary execution.
Anything to add?
BuckeyeSam on April 18, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Pathetic.
CP on April 18, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Yeap………….
……….. and by the way, where’s Joe “The Sheriff” Biden? Blow hard tough talk then run and hide behind Hillary’s skirt.
Not even 100 days into the Pantywaist Administration and the once great United States of America is the laughing stock of the world.
Seven Percent Solution on April 18, 2009 at 12:03 PM
i’m eagerly awaiting the trail of the priate in NYC for kipnapping the captian of the Meserk. I can see it now…lawyers saying he is too young to be tried as an adult, pictures and fact finding of his poor life, parading pictures of his poverty, his family testifiy and picketing outside the courthouse….get your popcorn it will be “interesting ” to see how liberals handle forgien policy like piracy on the high seas.
Anyone want to place bets on the punishment he gets?
I think proapation with time served and a $1500 fine?
unseen on April 18, 2009 at 12:17 PM
From what I understand, they are going to appeal and those always take a couple years so nothing is happening at the moment. The site is also staying up.
Luthien on April 18, 2009 at 12:20 PM
EXAMPLE: September 17, 2008
Bicyea on April 18, 2009 at 11:46 AM
its called preception. because of Bush’s forgien policy over 8 years (afgan, iraq, WOT) not many equated letting the pirates go as anything but mercy. They did not equate letting the pirates go as a sign of weakness. But thanks to Obama’s weak forgien policy so far they are now seeing it has a sign of his weakness.
BTW I thought Bush was wrong on the priates during his term and said as much then also.
In the Obama world that we live we are told that preception is reality so all we have to go on is preception and right now the preception around the world is that the USA is a weak nation. A paper tiger not since the 1990′s have we been thought of soo. And that led to 9/11 what will this new tone lead too? A nuclear explosion above the country frying all our technology?
unseen on April 18, 2009 at 12:22 PM
This is a gross misrepresentation, and I can prove it:
1) The Obama administration doubled the national debt in a month with a bill so convoluted and packed with earmarks that nobody knew what was in it when it was voted on and signed into law.
2) The Obama team got that very strongly worded statement from the UN Security Council that admonished North Korea for breaking a previous very strongly worded statement from the UN Security Council.
3) The Obama administration issued a report labeling you, me and tens of millions of Americans as potential threats to national security because we disagree with parts of the Democrat’s Party Platform or are veterans.
And you want him to do more?!!!
I am thankful for each day that passes in which TOTUS has BO on a short leash.
Loxodonta on April 18, 2009 at 12:30 PM
The end of the Dutch is upon us. A country that won’t even hold prisoners of war to be tried by the country of the citizens terrorized by pirates, has lost its will to survive and once that goes, it is only time til it sits atop the ash heap of history. I think it’s time to reevaluate who is in NATO and why. If the Dutch can’t pull their weight, then let them go on their own. They might find out once they have to fund an army that their welfare state mentality is not the blessing they think it is.
eaglewingz08 on April 18, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Es tut mir leid…I really should have known better. I shall turn myself over immediately for proper re-education and hope to
GodObama that my self-criticism and prostrations are acceptable to He, The One. /scoldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 12:34 PM
What was I thinking? /s
Should have said “…without actually ever having done anything constructive about each…”
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Oh… Well… I totally agree with you now!
Loxodonta on April 18, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I believe NATO is operating under the UN resolution that was done back in December 2008 and here was an article on it:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/16/AR2008121602848.html
They are correct they have no authority to capture or hold anyone, because the UN authorized countries to blow the pirates out of the water if they want, but nothing about what to do if you capture any of them. The US was pushing for a UN peacekeeping mission, which would have covered capturing of these people, but of course this was blocked in the UN by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. He felt there was too much chaos in Somalia and that the troops would be in too much danger.
This is just another example of why the UN is completely worthless now.
JeffinSac on April 18, 2009 at 12:40 PM
One thing not noted is the big difference between this and the US ship and pirates. This was a Yemen flagged ship, so what exactly would the Dutch charge them with if they brought them back to Netherlands?
They could have turned them over the the Yemen government, but only problem is there are pirates in Yemen already and the government there has done nothing against them. It would be like capturing Yemen pirates and turning them over to Somalia for prosecution.
Again the problem is not NATO or the Dutch in this case, but the conditions they are operating under granted to them by the UN.
JeffinSac on April 18, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Well, here’s a bit of a new twist…
From the same article linked above:
“Most of Somalia’s pirate gangs operate from the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland, where many of them say they first took to the seas to stop illegal fishing by European fleets and the dumping of toxic waste.
So…they are not really pirates, just activist “Save the Planet” protesters? Wonder if they are being funded by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change? [The AlGore T-shirts should have given us a hint.]
Well…that explains everything.
“Nothing more to see, folks.” as one of our HA posters is fond of saying, “Just move along.”
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Looks like The Netherlands will be the first western nation to fall to the savages. What is it about stupid liberals that lead them to the chopping block?
And all this time I thought it would be the Fwench.
calguyintexas on April 18, 2009 at 1:08 PM
What is it about stupid liberals that lead them to the chopping block?
And all this time I thought it would be the Fwench.
calguyintexas on April 18, 2009 at 1:08 PM
The same could be said of capitalist that sell their mother for a profit. It is not liberal or conservative but human nature that does it. The founding fathers understood human nature and created a document to stop the bad impules of ALL humans from destroying themselves…
unseen on April 18, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Well, as sick as this is, at least it’s juxtaposed with Americans killing pirates.
Americans – killing the pirates the the rest of the world won’t.
Actually, ironically, Americans and the French. Go figure.
Merovign on April 18, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Bingo. As for the pirate issue, we’ll fix them. We’re going to try and find their assets and freeze them.
scalleywag on April 18, 2009 at 1:28 PM
So close
FontanaConservative on April 18, 2009 at 1:32 PM
When did it become where International Guards are more afraid of lawsuits then doing the right thing and ending the pirate’s lives?
FontanaConservative on April 18, 2009 at 1:36 PM
I know, let’s send the POTUS over there and he can apologize for Bush’s failed policies and tell them he wants to be their friend. He can be their soul brother. Then he can sprinkle pixie dust all over Somalia and presto changeo, all will be well.
scalleywag on April 18, 2009 at 1:37 PM
LOL…. wasn’t it Twain who said, Go to Heaven for the climate, and Hell for the Company?
See ya in Camp!
Romeo13 on April 18, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Apparently piracy is on the rise everywhere, including the Caribbean. Why not?
PattyJ on April 18, 2009 at 2:22 PM
NATO: No Action Talk Only
Christian Conservative on April 18, 2009 at 2:36 PM
PattyJ, gotta be real careful with that one. Johnny Depp could end up in one of those DHS camps if Obama thinks Pirates of the Caribbean is a problem. I happen to like Depp’s repertoire, hate to see it derailed, over a mere misunderstanding by the Obama Team.
Actually, piracy on the high seas is on the rise not only along the Somali coast and the Straits of Malacca, The eastern Indonesia-southwest Philippines, and Burmese coast*…it is ongoing in West Africa, and yes, the Caribbean.
Why? It is easy. It pays well. Low start-up costs. And, apparently, very few nations are willing to actually do anything concrete to deal with it.
* (“It is, will remain, and evermore be Burma. Not this Myanmar stuff.” From an entry in the guestbook at The Strand, Rangoon, Burma. )
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Catch and release all criminals works fine as a policy… Just look at the Democrat party. Tax cheats abound. /sarc
RalphyBoy on April 18, 2009 at 2:42 PM
One side hamstrings itself with mind boggling, self -defeating rules. The other has no rules at all. Guess who is going to win this war?
Basilsbest on April 18, 2009 at 2:50 PM
I love history. You should check out the pandering remarks from American politicians prior to finally getting fed up and going to war.
It’s classic.
AnninCA on April 18, 2009 at 3:03 PM
This sound exactly like our Border enforcement’s “catch and release” program.
Has ICE taken over NATO?
RJL on April 18, 2009 at 3:16 PM
The entire world needs to learn to strike the balance between giving someone basic human rights (as a detainee, prisoner, etc) and protecting the rights of everyone else.
It’s pretty simple really, and most of the problem is on the left. When something like piracy is an issue, many many holes in the perpetrators is acceptable and sends a message that saves lives on BOTH sides of the issue.
The leftist answer to this problem will cost more lives than it saves, which is as useless as Jenine Garofalo. The ‘conservative’ end of the argument according to leftist scum would be to just shoot everyone not bowing to the fascist in control…we’ll get there, but it won’t be from the right wing.
Balance. Catch em, try em on the boat, execute them, film document the entire process and publicize the film for all to see and police. That’s the answer.
Spiritk9 on April 18, 2009 at 4:01 PM
What NATO needs to do is use the “They are Coming Right For Us” strategy which is authorized by the UN now and they would not have to worry about it. :-)
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/149674
JeffinSac on April 18, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Thanks NATO, because of you more innocent lives are SURE to be lost. Way to go.
/s
unwashed minion on April 18, 2009 at 4:46 PM
This is undestandable considering some NATO countries ROE in Afghanistan. Don’t interdict Taliban crossing moving through your area. Don’t shoot at ratbags attacking you once they start retreating.
davod on April 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM
I would suggest that NATO and the Dutch refer to the terms of UN Security Council Resolutions on this issue. They have granted full authority for any vessel participating in Combined Task Force 151 to detain and transport any pirates who are captured to Kenya for trial. The Dutch are idiots.
Hawthorne on April 18, 2009 at 5:56 PM
NATO is fast becoming the wet noodle the U.N. has been for decades.
Hog Wild on April 18, 2009 at 6:27 PM
BTW, we let the pirates go, too, before we finally killed 3 of them. The Precedent was the one who didn’t allow the pirates to be killed when Captain Phillips first went overboard to give our military clean shots. From floppingaces,
President Obama Restricted Navy SEALs From Rescuing Ship Captain With Force.
progressoverpeace on April 18, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Who is paying these NATO forces to even be in the area?
These actions are a total waste of time and money.
Freddy on April 18, 2009 at 9:00 PM
They were afraid that Obama might release documents outlining the interrogation with names, address and phonenumbers of the Dutch involved. That is what our commander in chief has relegated the west to be and to do.
wepeople on April 18, 2009 at 9:06 PM
In the words of Nigel Powers, Austin Power’s father:
waveman on April 18, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Let’s not be too hard on the Dutch. I’ve worked with them in deployed locations before and they are excellent soldiers, all around.
What should have happened is this: The NATO troops (e.g. the Dutch) should have turned the pirates over to the Yemeni government. It was, after all, their citizens that were captured. Let the Yemenis put them on trial. Perhaps they’d broadcast the executions online?!
mjtyson on April 18, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Keelhauling’s too good for tehm
ToddonCapeCod on April 18, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Right, the KCT and Dutch Marines are some of the best, but their command and control element is utterly incompetent.
The bigger questions we have to ask is who gave the order to let those bloody pirates go and then let heads start rolling!
Cr4sh Dummy on April 18, 2009 at 10:27 PM
The leftist answer to this problem will cost more lives than it saves, which is as useless as
the scrotum onJenine Garofalo.Sorry Spiritk9, couldn’t resist
OkieDoc on April 18, 2009 at 11:22 PM
WTF? I can just imagine the colorful phrases uttered in Dutch when the Commandos realized they had pirates that they had risked their lives capturing would go free.
I wonder how,”Next time we shall shoot them before they can surrender”, sounds in Dutch.
thmsmgnm on April 19, 2009 at 12:40 AM
they should have released them after planting a tracking device, then blow up the entire nest of these terrorists.
workingforpigs on April 19, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Catch and release… NATO… totally useless
No Authority To Overtake
CynicalOptimist on April 19, 2009 at 3:59 PM
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