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Pirates 'can be fought' on land

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-18 07:30

UNITED NATIONS - China is "seriously considering" sending navy ships to Somali waters to fight pirates as the UN on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution for the first time authorizing international land operations against piracy.

The pirates are holding a Chinese vessel and 17 Chinese nationals to ransom. They attacked another Chinese vessel on Wednesday.

Map of Somalia locating the Gulf of Aden. Chinese sailors backed up by international navies fought off Somali pirates trying to hijack their ship in the Gulf of Aden onWednesday, as the UN authorised land operations against the increasingly bold bandits land.[Agencies]

The UN Security Council resolution, passed on Tuesday night, gives countries battling pirates off Somalia's coast a one-year mandate to act against them inside the country.

Resolution 1851 authorizes the UN member countries to "take all necessary measures that are appropriate in Somalia" to suppress "acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea".

It was the fourth resolution to be approved by the UN since June to combat piracy in Somali waters, including the busy commercial shipping channel of the Gulf of Aden. But unlike the previous resolutions, it empowers countries fighting piracy to conduct operations inside Somalia.

Welcoming the resolution, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he would submit recommendations "on ways to ensure the long-term security of international navigation off the coast of Somalia".

But Ban stressed the need to address the country's broader security challenge, too, saying the most appropriate response was "a multinational force, rather than a typical peacekeeping operation".

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, too, hailed the resolution. It sends a "strong signal to combat the scourge of piracy", she said, highlighting the need "to end the impunity of Somali pirates".

But the Pentagon warned of "practical challenges" in taking action inside Somalia. "We welcome the passing of the resolution. We will continue to work with our allies and partners to address this troublesome problem," said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman.

China considers move

Deputy Foreign Minister He Yafei told the ministerial meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday that China is "seriously considering sending navy ships" to the Somali coast for escorting operations.

It is crucial to allow the UN, especially the Security Council, to play its core role in maintaining world peace and security, and effectively coordinating responses and actions from all the countries, he said.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Somalia's Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Jama welcomed China's move when Beijing announced its intention of sending its navy to fight the pirates.

Military experts said China should shoulder the responsibility of protecting its ships and international peacekeeping missions.

Major-General Jin Yinan, a military strategist, said the navy is capable of accomplishing the tasks. In an interview with China National Radio, Jin said the country could join hands with other nations.

"Combating piracy is an international mission and we can work with other countries and partners," he said.