November 21, 2008 (LPAC) -- The Somali-based piracy which is attacking shipping in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, is a well-organized operation of the London-based financial empire. The London-sponsored piracy is now increasing, driving up prices, and threatening world trade between nations at precisely the time they are already being threatened by the collapse of the global financial system. Profits from this activity are also used to arm warlords; the resultant chaos in Somalia, and the future targeting of Yeman, is a prerequisite for continuation of this activity.
Vessels are held off Puntland, the poorest region of Somalia, until negotiations for ransom are completed. The vessels are then released. Piracy has already generated $30 million this year, and more than an dozen vessels are presently captive. Increased insurance rates are raising the cost of the goods shipped. Lloyd's reports that piracy could add $400m to owners' insurance cover costs. More than 30% of the world's oil is transported through the Gulf of Aden. In addition to oil shipments to Europe, China and India are among the hardest hit shippers through the Suez Canal, according to reports.
The pirates have very sophisticated equipment, including mother ships from which speed boats can be launched to seize a ship. This gives the operation a large range throughout the Indian Ocean, putting ships that don't pass through the Gulf of Aden to the Suez Canal, at risk. Avoiding the Gulf of Aden had previously been considered a safe route. A Saudi supertanker, with a $100 million cargo of oil, was recently seized several hundred nautical miles off the coast of Tanzania.
The pirate have GPS, and are obviously being given the location of ships, which can then be approached in the dark, and taken by surprise, using rocket propelled grappling hooks. Nine nations now have naval vessels in the Indian Ocean to combat the pirates, but, given the distances, have not been very effective. Security experts say the piracy cannot be stopped this way.
Most of the captures have taken place off the Yemeni coast, Knowledgeable sources report that these criminal networks operate out of the United Arab Emirates, not Yemen or Somalia. The Royal Institute of International Affairs reports that, since the Yemeni head of state has been in power over thirty years, the succession crisis that will hit the impoverished nation, will lead to instability, which "could expand a lawless zone stretching from northern Kenya, through Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, to Saudi Arabia. Piracy, organized crime and violent jihad would escalate, with implications for the security of shipping routes, the transit of oil through the Suez Canal and the internal security of Yemen's neighbours."
Sir Francis Drake was rewarded for doing less.
