Countering Somali pirates

Captains,

Just a year since the Maersk Alabama incident, additional U.S. Government efforts to thwart piracy off Somalia were revealed this week. President Obama issued an Executive Order which includes certain named Somali pirates to whom it will now be illegal to pay ransoms or support in any way. The E.O. is "not targeted at the entire country of Somalia, but rather is intended to target those who threaten peace and stability in Somalia" and specified that "acts of piracy or armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia threaten the peace, security or stability".

In the mean time, 5 suspected Somali pirates captured on April 1 are being brought into the U.S. justice system after they actually opened fire on the USS Nicholas.

RADM W

April 13, 2010 Washington (CNN) -- Five suspected Somali pirates accused of attacking a U.S. Navy ship could be sent to the United States to face criminal proceedings, according to U.S. military officials.

This is only the second time U.S. authorities have brought pirate suspects from Somalia to the United States to possibly face trial.

The five are being held aboard the USS Nicholas -- the guided-missile frigate they are accused of attacking -- off the Horn of Africa and will be transferred to Department of Justice authority in the coming days, officials said.

Although the United States worked with Kenya to create a system to try pirate suspects in that country, the Kenyan government told Washington that its court system is overburdened and cannot accept more cases.