"By killing a few monkeys, we may be able to teach the chickens and cripple the network," was one of the document's more blood curdling conclusions.
But no sooner was the statement issued to the press, then the ASC ordered a recall, saying to media: "It has come to our attention that the Asian Shippers' Council's draft statement on Somalia piracy was inadvertently circulated to the press. We would like to recall that as it is a draft statement, which requires further refinement.
"The ASC is in the process of finalising its position. It should be completed tomorrow. Once submitted to the International Chamber of Commerce, a copy will be circulated to the media. Please accept our apology for all inconvenience caused," said the ASC secretariat.
The "draft" was widely publicised and stands as the fiercest statement coming from the shipping community on piracy, which has become increasingly impatient with the impotence of naval forces and the growing unwillingness to put pirates on trial, resulting in many being released.
Three weeks ago, Norwegian tanker owner Jacob Stolt-Nielsen declared in a newspaper commentary, in which he wrote that pirates should have their ships sunk and be drowned at sea.
"Perhaps, I was a bit tough in the commentary, but I'm telling it like it is," he said, after being blasted for his views by the Norwegian foreign minister. "But the way to solve the pirate problem is to sink the pirates and their ships."
The ASC draft was just as harsh. "Pirates are operating out of mainly four Somali port towns, Caluula, Eyl, Hobyo and Harardhere," it said. "We believe there is a case for selective targeting of these towns using predators to take out pirate leaders, just as they would for terrorists' leaders in Pakistan and Afghanistan."
The draft said pirates should be treated as terrorists, though whether they to be shot on sight on suspicion remained unclear.
Said the draft: "They should empower the navies to take whatever measures they deem appropriate to defeat the pirates. Naval officers should have the authority to detain the ship and its crew, and take whatever measures necessary, if they have strong reasons to believe that a ship is being used as a mother ship. Standard operating procedures can be drawn up to prevent any abuse of this authority.
"Until today, many navies have been constrained to act. Even when the pirates are captured, most are released as many countries are reluctant to detain them, much less prosecute them. According to reports, EU and NATO naval forces captured and then released an estimated 700 pirates in the first six months of 2010," the draft said.
Source : HKSG.
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