Somalian pirates "guided" from London

Anyone lucky enough to catch episode 5 of the 13th series of "South Park" will already have digested the idea that Somalian pirates could be directed by a little fat kid with an attitude problem. But now the Spanish radio station "SER", acknowledged through its long list of leaks for its links to the intelligence services, has broadcast fresh claims, it says is based on a leaked briefing from European military intelligence that the pirates are being guided from London. & not just a bedsit in Dalston - but rather insiders in the maritime transport industry and insurance sectors.

Mariela Rubio the radio journalist who has built an investigative series on the piracy of Somalia reported this afternoon that information which is supplied to international organisations is sifted in a selection process which is then relayed to pirates and includes detailed plans of cargo, crew, vittels and onboard layout. It is also thought the lack of British vessels (or flags flying British flags) in the long list of attacks may be explained by the these moles in the admiralty not wishing to shite in their own garden and bring attention to themselves.

At present there are two international naval operations working away in the sea area off the horn of Africa, rivalling to someday take the credit for clearing the seas of brigandry. The first, the US led mission, Combined Task Force 151, has been sidelined a bit by the newer European operation Operation Atalanta" which came into being though without its silly name after friendly conversations between the French and Spanish. That group has now seen pirates arrested and brought to court in Spain, where for various reasons, like jurisdiction, prison overcrowding, good defense lawyers and so on so forth they were released back into the sea like lucky little fish who escaped the taxidermist.

Switzerland has announced it will in the future support EUFOR ATLANTADA, despite not being in the EU, having a navy or even offering any beach beyond lake Geneva. Which really is quite splendid. Until you consider how many merchant vessels are registered to Swiss owners.

At present the two main international maritime organisations in London are the IMO which does registration and regulation and Lloyds who do insurance.

& that's where the admiralty moles are. Where the person who leaked this sensitive data to the Spanish press is, would of course be another matter touching on EU collaboration and common defense policy.

English coverage :-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/11/somali-pira...gence
Spanish original :-
http://www.cadenaser.com/espana/articulo/piratas-recibe...2/Tes
Wikipedia on Operation Atalanta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Atalanta
South Park episode 1307 "Captain Fatbeard" complete with a little shanty song which is very popular amongst internet insiders and might deserve a write up in the Tribune. http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/220764