Germany believes in EU anti-piracy mission
(BRUSSELS2) The Bundestag (the German Chamber of Deputies) debated yesterday (23 November) in Berlin the one-year extension of German participation in the EU's anti-piracy operation (Eunavfor Atalanta). A necessary extension because it is a success according to Parliamentary State Secretary Thomas Kossendey: “ Since the operation began in December 2008, all aid shipments by the World Food Program (WFP) have been made safely to their destination. »
big contributor
In recent months, together with Spain, Germany was - together with Spain - the largest troop contributor for Atalanta, with more than 550 German military personnel committed and up to 2 frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft, not to mention an area command, specifies the Minister (who does not mention France in this list and, for good reason, France had concentrated its maritime resources elsewhere... in Libya).
The Bundeswehr will continue to contribute during 2012 with a frigate, a maritime patrol aircraft (from 2012) and a combat group, confirmed the German Defense Ministry. The extension project provides (like the original project) the possibility of hiring up to 1400 men and women to protect relief supplies for the region and preserve trade routes from attack.
A commitment that does not only respond to humanitarian concerns, it is the interest for Germany as a maritime power. Of the 25000 to 30000 ships that cross the Indian Ocean each year, approximately 3000 are under the German flag.
Private guards, on-board teams and chain releases
The debate in the Bundestag focused on strengthening security measures both to protect merchant ships and to fight pirates more effectively.
On the establishment of private security services, the Secretary of State referred the question to his counterparts in Transport and the Interior, responsible " to clarify the legal framework in which these services can be performed ". And for the presence of German soldiers on the ships, he warns, this is " not possible if the ships are not sailing under the German flag. International law forbids it. We need agreement with flag states. Which is not exactly easy ».
Atalanta's primary objective
is not pirate hunting
The minister also responded to the criticisms, many in Germany, accusing the soldiers of sending the apprehended pirates back to Somalia. " Let me tell you two things. First: Atalanta's main goal is not to hunt pirates. Whoever reads the mandate knows that it is so. (Second) We changed the rules of engagement. We can intervene more intensively. But when there is no complaint, or plaintiff, we will find no judge. Therefore, it is not uncommon to be required under international law to bring back (release) those who have been caught red-handed. We do not have an international tribunal with jurisdiction over these crimes. » (*)
(*) home translation, hoping to have been accurate 🙂
Download Kossendey's text (in German): B2 docs