10 November 2008

EU to Send Warships to Combat Piracy Off Somali Coast

10 Nov Bloomberg

EU to Send Warships to Combat Piracy Off Somali Coast (Update2)

By Gregory Viscusi

Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- European Union member states agreed to send a fleet of warships to the Somali coast, joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and at least three other countries that have deployed naval vessels to combat pirates in the world's most dangerous seas.

The decision by defense and foreign ministers from the 27- member EU at a Brussels meeting today gives approval to an agreement reached at an informal gathering last month in Deauville, France.

The fleet, the first naval mission put together by the EU, will be in place by next month, French Defense Minister Herve Morin said at a press conference. The force will be called Atalanta and at least eight countries have pledged warships or patrol planes, he said.

``We've been faced with an unacceptable rise in piracy in the zone,'' said Morin. ``This operation is proof that a Europe of defense is starting to take shape.''

The one-year mission will be commanded by British Vice- Admiral Phillip Jones, based in Northwood near London, and operate out of the French military base in Djibouti on the Gulf of Aden. The cost is estimated at 8.3 million euros ($11 million), the EU said in a statement.

Pirate attacks climbed fivefold in the Gulf of Aden in the first nine months of this year as ransom payments spurred raiders to step up their activities, the International Maritime Bureau said last month. At least 60 boats have been attacked and more than 12 vessels and 259 crew members remain hostage.

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