Somali pirates on parade

Great. One Yemeni and 13 Somali pirates who hijacked an American yacht and killed four Americans in late February off the coast of Oman have been indicted in a U.S. civilian court where they will be given all the protections guaranteed in our criminal justice system -- free lawyers to plead their case, presumption of innocence, and if convicted a place to sleep and eat for as many years as they are sentenced to serve. No such consideration was granted to the murdered Americans, two couples on a world cruise to distribute Bibles in far-off and often non-religious places.

Let's be clear about a few things. First, piracy is an internationally recognized crime that traditionally has rated summary, not lawyerly justice.

Second, small, outboard motor-powered skiffs do not operate independently hundreds of miles at sea. They are supported by mother ships that perforce operate in relatively close proximity to the small craft pirates use to board and capture the vessels they hold for ransom.

Third, these mother ships and the Somali ports most operate from must be known by the naval forces currently deployed to combat them. If not, the large sums spent on naval surveillance, long-distance radar, patrol aircraft, satellite cameras, etc., have not been well spent.

Fourth, it should be relatively simple to destroy the infrastructure supporting piracy in the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean areas where it currently is most prevalent. If not, then why not?

Is it because of unreasonable and unworkable rules of engagement placed upon on-scene commanders by desk-bound authorities ashore? Is it because of something else, perhaps concern that we not offend the sensibilities of pirates, that we not deny them an adventurous, if not quite honorable, means of making a living?

Some 50 hijacked vessels and more than 800 hostages are now being held by Somali pirates. Unless the pirates can be brought to justice American style, or better yet sent on a one-way trip to Davy Jones' locker, those numbers are only going to get higher. While paying ransom can save lives and ships, it also encourages further depredations.

The international community needs a plan of attack, and the commitment to follow it.

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