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EU Pirate Policy : aint "War" but is "shoot to kill". a Q&A

iosaf | 17.09.2008 13:51 | Analysis | Anti-militarism | Ocean Defence | World

All those soothsayers of a common European militarist policy operating from within the institutions of EU governance, rather than the aliance of NATO or proper international action allowed by UN resolutions, should get a vindicated kick out of the news that Brussels has opened a military task force on "Somali pirates".

A short Q&A so you seem like you know enough to bluff conversation on this.

Q : Is this the sort of project where European values of multi-cultural and multi-ethnic democracy are extended to small places of homogenous Albanians to unilaterally declare a statehood safe under NATO & UN policing?
A : No this is not Kosovo this is "Kill Somali Pirates".

Q: Is this the sort of common naval and coastal defence projects which for many years now have allowed for Spanish, French & Italian naval vessels to patrol north and western African states to discourage migrants on rafts?
A : No this is not "humanitarian border work" this is "Kill Somali Pirates".

Q : Are these Somalian pirates paying attention?
A : It's highly unlikely that pirates on the Horn of African coast pay any attention to European media information flow on institutional decision making in Brussels or the intricities of common policy formation, implementation, development or transparency & accountability which is both at the core of the European project and very tips of its benevolent presence, worth, influence & inspiration to all European citizens everywhere and everytime.

Q : Do we have anything else in common with Somalian pirates?
A : It may be too early to seek that area of mutual respect and recognition which many of us undoubtedly feel for many peoples with high melanin count and AK47's. We should look at the flag they're flying first or consult the internet to learn about their ideological influences.

Q : Are they really pirates in a sense we know & love?
A : They are neither flying the jolly roger nor flirting with Keira Knightly.

Q : not pirates then........... Do they eat meat?
A : You'd have to consult their websites for any clarification of fixed positions on dietary requirements &/or policies on speciesism.

Q : Are they really Somalian?
A : Quite probably the meat-eating type wouldn't be Somalian & the fact that they are being described as "Somalian pirates" in the press is really proof that we know as little about the Horn of Africa as they know might be expected to know about us but give us a prejudice and tag & we'll excuse anything. They could be Al Qaeda. Pirates are a typically cosmopolitan bunch & though they are hitting boats without prejudice off the coast of Somalia they could just as likely be Eritrean or the noble seperatists of Puntland or they could be the CIA.

Q : How could they be both Al Qaeda and the CIA?
A : agenda. they key word is agenda.

Q : has any member state of the EU who is signing up to this "Common shoot to kill" policy used the words "parliamentary ratification"?
A : it's neither a war nor a peace keeping mission - so they don't have to.

Q : Has any member state of the EU used the words "shoot to kill"?
A : They never do.

Q : Who is the man/woman in charge in Brussels to whom I may write letters?
A : answers on a postcard -

Andrés Amable Breijo Claur.
nationality - Spanish
born - 1957
rank - Captain.
length of service - 27 years.
experience or speciality - he has served as captain of Europe's newest amphibious assault and logistics vessel, a cunning combination of aircraft carrier and troop ship.
you can read about it here  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Carlos_I_(L61) & see how useful it would be in the noble work of killing pirates & testing kit.

"show no quarter - the novelty import trade must be made safe for Christmas"

iosaf

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  1. the history of piracy on the high seas & "unlawful combatants" ∴ → — iosaf forgot to add the tiny ironic details!