Piracy battle also requires help on land, officials say

WASHINGTON

U.S. and allied naval power has helped curb an epidemic of piracy off the Horn of Africa, but a permanent solution to the problem depends on stabilizing the government of Somalia, military and diplomatic officials told lawmakers Thursday.

"Piracy is a problem that starts ashore and requires an international solution ashore," said Vice Adm. William Gortney, the Navy's top commander in the region. American and other forces have helped prevent some attacks, but "we cannot guarantee safety in this vast region," he said.

Daniel Pike, principal director of the Pentagon's office of African affairs, agreed that "the absence of a strong government in Somalia remains the largest challenge." Because the country is essentially lawless, pirate clans operate with impunity, he said.

Gortney, Pike and other officials told the House Armed Services Committee that there's no sign Somali pirates are working in concert with al-Qaida or other terrorist groups or have a political agenda.

Instead, they said, the attackers are motivated by poverty and the multimillion-dollar ransoms that some shipping companies from around the world have been willing to pay to recover ships and cargo.

Gortney said pirate gangs "usually just look for the soft target," focusing on ships that travel slowly - generally at less than 15 knots - and ride low in the water. That makes boarding relatively easy, he said.

Gortney heads an international naval coalition that includes ships, aircraft and other equipment from 20 countries. The forces, including several Norfolk-based ships, have interrupted some attacks and confiscated weapons and equipment including ladders and grappling hooks.

Dale Eisman, (703) 913-9872, dale.eisman@pilotonline.com