Saudis won't fight the pirates that seized tanker
Thursday, November 20, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has ruled out a military strike against pirates who operate in the Gulf of Aden and has given conflicting answers on whether it would partipate with an international anti-piracy offensive.p> Officials said Riyad would not use its navy or form a special unit to track and attack pirates. The pirates, most of them from Somalia, have increased their seizure of commercial ships over the last year.
"It is definitely something very dangerous but international initiatives have fortunately been taken to confront it," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal said.p> Saud was referring to a Western-led effort to confront pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, where 80 attacks were reported in 2008. The Indian Navy has also been patrolling the area and attacking suspected pirate vessels.
"This outrageous act by the pirates, I think, will only reinforce the resolve of the countries of the Red Sea and internationally to fight piracy," Saudi said during a visit to Athens on Nov. 18. "Piracy is against everybody. Like terrorism it is a disease that has to be eradicated."p> The foreign minister said Riyad would join an international initiative against piracy in the Red Sea. Saud did not elaborate.
"This is an initiative in which we are going to join, and so are many other countries of the Red Sea," Saud said.
On Nov. 15, a Saudi oil tanker, believed to be carrying 2.2 million barrels of oil, was seized by pirates near Yemen. The cargo was said to be worth up to $150 million.
Officials said Riyad authorized Yemen and other countries to search for the oil tanker, identified as Sirius Star. They said no Saudi force was given the jurisdiction to leave the kingdom's territorial waters.
"Yemen is fully carrying out its duty toward the humanitarian issue," Saudi Border Guard commander Lt. Gen. Talal Anqawi said.
In an interview with the Saudi-owned A-Sharq Al Awsat daily, Anqawi said his unit was not given responsibility for protecting Saudi commercial vessels from pirates. In a statement that contradicted Saud, the general said Riyad would not join an international force against pirates.
NATO has sought Saudi cooperation in regional security, including the battle against pirates. The Western alliance has deployed seven ships near Somalia.