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PILLAGING PIRATES
EU allows warships to use 'all means' to fight piracy: Solana

For a year, vessels from at least eight countries -- Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden -- will escort aid ships and carry out anti-piracy duties under British Admiral Phillip Jones. Photo courtesy AFP.
by Staff Writers
 Brussels (AFP) Dec 8, 2008
 The European Union agreed Monday rules of engagement allowing its newly-deployed warships the right to use force to combat piracy off Somalia, foreign policy chief Javier Solana said.

"The rules of engagement are very robust, with the possibility of using all means including force to protect, to deter and to prosecute all acts of piracy," he told reporters as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels.

The decision came on the day the EU launched its first-ever naval operation, to be led by Britain, with six warships and three surveillance planes patrolling pirate infested seas in the Horn of Africa.

The EU vessels face the daunting task of covering an area of around one million square kilometres, in waters that have seen nearly 100 ships attacked by pirates this year.

For a year, vessels from at least eight countries -- Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden -- will escort aid ships and carry out anti-piracy duties under British Admiral Phillip Jones.

With a headquarters in Northwood near London, the fleet will initially be led off the coast of Somalia by Greek Admiral Antonios Popaioannou, with a Spaniard and then a Dutch officer taking over after three-month terms.

While the EUNAVFOR Atalanta mission officially started Monday -- taking over from four NATO vessels in the waters -- it is unlikely to be up to full strength before the end of the month.

Fuller details of the mission were expected to be unveiled at a press conference.

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PILLAGING PIRATES
Pirates shifting the goalposts on EU armada: watchdog
 Mogadishu (AFP) Dec 8, 2008
 As an EU armada began operations off Somalia's pirate-infested coast Monday, maritime authorities said pirates are attacking shipping further south along the African coast, extending the already vast area the warships will have to protect.






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