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Somalia: NATO to deploy 7 warships to fight piracy in Somalia
Fri. October 10, 2008 03:43 am.- By Bonny Apunyu. -
(SomaliNet) NATO the alliance spokesman said NATO defense ministers agreed Thursday to send ships to escort vessels carrying food aid and deter piracy off the coast of Somalia.
James Appathurai, NATO's chief spokesman said ministers agreed that a seven-ship NATO force would be in the region within weeks. NATO will coordinate with organizations including the European Union, he told a news conference.
"There will soon be NATO military vessels off the coast of Somalia, detering piracy and escorting food ships," Appathurai said.
Momentum has been growing for coordinated international action against the growing pirate menace following the seizure late last month of a Ukrainian cargo ship laden with tanks and heavy weaponry.
Several European Union countries last week said they would launch an anti-piracy patrol, and Russia announced it would cooperate with the West on fighting the pirates. U.S.
warships, meanwhile, are being diverted from counterterrorism duties to respond to the seafaring bandits. – AP
News Category: Somalia
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