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FOXNews.com - U.S. Navy Arrives at Scene of Hijacked American Ship - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe NewsThe U.S. is gearing up for a standoff with the band of pirates who hijacked a U.S.-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Somalia as a Navy warship reportedly arrived at the scene early Thursday.
The crew of the Maersk Alabama were able to regain control of the vessel Wednesday, but the pirates escaped with the captain as a captive. Kevin Speers, a spokesman for the owner of ship, told the Associated Press that a U.S. Navy warship arrived at the scene, and the pirates and their hostage were a short distance away in one of the ship's lifeboats.
Family members said Capt. Richard Phillips surrendered to the pirates to secure the safety of the crew.
"What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," said Gina Coggio, 29, half sister of Phillips' wife. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain."
It is unclear, however, how the standoff will end, given that Western countries in the past have faced legal difficulties in pursuing such pirates in international waters.
"standoff" and "legal difficulties" :roll:
This IMO is the first real test of Obama alone on a solitary issue.
1. Will he make it clear the USA will not be tampered with and give the hostage takers a choice of give him back or die.
2. Or will we see Carter II:"The somalian affair"
I'd bet on two but he may be forced into one.
..besides we can use the excuse to bomb the hell out of the al Qaeda allied forces now controlling big chunks of the country ..again.
Ethiopia asked for the "wests" help in their effort against those forces. They had invaded and wooped them. Nobody delivered much more then words. So Ethiopia a year or two ago left as they said they would if they where not helped more.
Its the worst Regional defeat in this war and one which we caused ourselves.
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