U.S. may aid Somalia, attack pirate bases, officials say

Star-Telegram Monday, April 13, 2009 WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is considering attacks on pirate bases on land and aid for Somalis to help stem ship hijackings off Africa's east coast, defense officials said. The military is also drawing up proposals to aid the fledgling Somalia government to train security forces and develop its own coast guard, said the officials, who requested anonymity. The head of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said the successful rescue of an American captain held by Somali pirates could lead to more violent acts by pirates, and people familiar with them agreed. "This could escalate violence in this part of the world," Navy Vice Admiral Bill Gortney said Sunday. Pirates are holding about a dozen ships with more than 200 crew members, according to the Malaysia-based piracy watchdog International Maritime Bureau. While piracy is common off Somalia, crews have seldom been harmed. Source: Star-Telegram, April 13, 2009