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Subject IndexMonday, November 23, 2009

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 Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security > Bureau of Political-Military Affairs > Office of Plans, Policy and Analysis (PM/PPA) > Countering Piracy off Coast of Somalia

Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and the Response By the United States and International Community

Description: Map of Somalia. State Dept Image"We may be dealing with a 17th Century crime, but we need to bring 21st Century solutions to bear." -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, April 17, 2009.

Threat to Maritime Commerce, Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief, and Regional Security and Development.
Pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa represent a serious threat to a range of American and international interests. Learn more.

United States Response.
Description: A U.S. Navy boarding team carefully approaches a suspected pirate vessel. Photo courtesy of U.S. NavyThe United States Government's coordinated inter-agency efforts are consistent with our traditional interest in ensuring freedom of navigation, safety of mariners, and protection of American citizens. Learn more.

International Response.
Logo: Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. State Dept ImageOn January 14, 2009, a community of like-minded nations and international organizations convened in New York to launch a coordinated effort to halt pirate attacks that emanated from Somali waters. This initiative was called the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. This website serves as a repository for the Contact Group’s communiqués and other significant announcements.

The diplomatic, official coordination, and information-sharing efforts of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, are complemented by these international counter-piracy forces, which provide naval and aerial forces to protect shipping that transits this region:

The United States commends the willingness of Kenya to prosecute suspected pirates.

Recent Attacks on Maersk Alabama and M/V Harriett
Secretary of Transportation LaHood reminded mariners of best practices following recent attacks on the Maersk Alabama and M/V Harriett. Full Text

International Community Must Intensify Counterpiracy Effort
Date: 10/29/2002 Description: This Oct. 29, 2002, U.S. Navy photo, shows U.S. Navy SEALs, at sea aboard the USS Oscar Austin after landing on the fantail of the guided missile destroyer during a training exercise. © AP Image Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo (Nov. 18): "The scourge of piracy off the coast of Somalia affects us all—through increased risk to our citizens, disruption of global commercial shipping routes, and damage to property and goods." Full Text

Greek Shipowners Discuss Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
Date: 09/11/2003 Description: A U.S. Coast Guard officer drops onto the deck of the Omiros, a Greek freighter carrying cement to the Port of Tampa, Sept. 11, 2003, in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. © AP ImageDuring a visit to Washington, DC, a delegation from the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) met with State Department officials to discuss the threat to international shipping posed by pirates operating of the coast of Somalia and up to 1000 miles beyond its territorial waters. Full Text

Recent Efforts to Reduce the Threat of Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
Date: 07/22/2009 Description: Andrew J. Shapiro, Assistant Secretary of Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.State Dept Image In an October 22 speech, Assistant Secretary Shapiro highlighted efforts by the United States and the international Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia to apply 21st century solutions to one of the world’s oldest criminal enterprises—piracy—which continues to endanger commercial shipping in the Horn of Africa region. Press Release | Speech

Counterpiracy: Confronting Criminals on the High Seas
Date: 04/11/2009 Description: Armed pirates and their hostages are seen aboard a yacht off the coast of Somalia Apr. 11, 2009. © AP ImageThe United States has joined 44 other countries in the international effort to fight piracy off of Somalia through the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. DipNote Blog

Taking Diplomatic Action Against Piracy
Date: 07/22/2009 Description: Andrew J. Shapiro, Assistant Secretary of Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.State Dept ImageAssistant Secretary Shapiro (Sept. 16): "As Secretary Clinton has said, piracy is a 17th century problem that demands a 21st century solution." Full Text

Counter-Piracy Contact Group Meets in New York
Date: 10/08/2008 Description: In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, pirates leave the Ukrainian merchant vessel MV Faina for Somalia's shore Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship. © AP ImageThe United States joined nearly 40 other countries and international organizations at the United Nations in New York for the fourth plenary session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia September 10. DipNote Blog

-Key Outcomes of 4th Plenary of the Contact Group

-U.S. Commits to Best Practices to Counter Piracy

-Text of NY Declaration

-Remarks by Ambassador DiCarlo

-Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group

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