AP IMPACT: Security firms join Somali piracy fight

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – Blackwater Worldwide and other private security firms – some with a reputation for being quick on the trigger in Iraq – are joining the battle against pirates plaguing one of the world’s most important shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia.

The growing interest among merchant fleets to hire their own firepower is encouraged by the U.S. Navy and represents a new and potential lucrative market for security firms scaling back operations in Iraq.

But some maritime organizations told The Associated Press that armed guards may increase the danger to ships’ crews or that overzealous contractors might accidentally fire on fishermen.

The record in Iraq of security companies like Blackwater, which is being investigated for its role in the fatal shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians in 2007, raises concerns about unregulated activity and possible legal wrangles.

“Security companies haven’t always had the lightest of touches in Iraq, and I think Somalia is a pretty delicate situation,” said Roger Middleton, who wrote a recent report on piracy in Somalia for Chatham House, a think tank in London.

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AP IMPACT: Security firms join Somali piracy fight

You want to stop the pirates? Put Blackwater on the ships. You want this BS to end? Those are your guys that can get it done, they are smart, professional and they are well equipped at handling any situation.

Every time the MSM mentions Blackwater they automatically bring up the incident where the 17 supposed Iraqi civilians were shot and killed. Maybe they were civilians, maybe they were al-Qaida soldiers. For any of you that have not been to Iraq or Afghanistan let me point this out for you, our adversaries are NOT members of a uniformed military, it makes it rather difficult to discern exactly WHO is a combatant and who is not when the rounds start going off.

And for the left leaning peaceniks here’s a bit more truth for you, NO diplomats were lost to hostile forces when Blackwater was in charge of their safety. The never had someone from State or any other agency so much as get a scratch when they were taking care of business. The Iraqis that employed Blackwater, Iraqi officials and big shots, yeah, that’s right, they never got hurt, kidnapped or killed when Blackwater was running the show.

I have pointed this out before but it bears repeating, WAR is NOT for the feint of heart. It’s a brutal, dangerous, bloody and very deadly business, and Blackwater takes their specialties to a whole new level of excellence. If a bunch of pirates attack a ship protected by a Blackwater detail it is a certainty that said pirates will be dispatched to meet their maker. That is what Blackwater is hired to do, protection, and if I am paying a company to protect MY assets, by God I expect them to protect my assets.

And lets not fail to mention this, on the high seas, a ships Captain is GOD! If there are *fishing vessels* that are so damned stupid that they would approach a ship, in INTERNATIONAL waters, God help them. The Captain would be well within his authority to give the order to repel the perceived attack. THAT is where Blackwater earns their money and makes an example of the fate that future pirates can expect!

And in the waters off of the Horn of Africa, they are well aware of the law of the sea. Let Blackwater have a go at em, they can settle this business quicker and easier than the navies of the world powers, with far less repercussions as well I am guessing.