Attacking the Pirate Logistics Bases (Shift)
(BRUSSELS2) The ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee of the European Union discussed, during their last meeting before Christmas, the modification of the operation plan (OpPlan) of Atalanta to allow a more offensive action. This option - known as option IV - had been prepared by the commander of the operation, General Duncan Potts, to provide the European anti-piracy operation with more robust methods.
Some had already been put in place for ships under European command to intervene offensively in the event of hostage taking (with the agreement of the flag State), if necessary by firing against pirate ships. This method was tried out for the first time when Me Colombo was released, as Rear Admiral Canova explained on B2.
Among this strengthening of methods, it was also planned to be able to destroy pirate bases, logistics or others. It is not systematically to go ashore explained an officer to us; we can " target some depots from the sea. You have to see that it is often a few tents with vehicles, fuel depots »
This modification of the operation plan should have been approved during the last Council of Defense Ministers. But one state opposed it, apparently more for internal political reasons than real opposition. According to our information, it is Spain which was represented on this council by Carme Chacon, who was to leave her post after the defeat in the elections of the socialist party (PSOE). And the transfer of these files could not be ensured with the new team of the popular party. The Minister was therefore unable to make a firm commitment to her successor, whether for this operation plan or other projects of the European Defense Agency.
(Maj, Dec. 30) This change also sparked a very political discussion in Germany. Several opposition parties showing vocal disagreement with more offensive measures, as reported today by Faz, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
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