Russ Feingold: “I wish to express my deep concern regarding recent news reports about piracy off the coast of Somalia. As we all know…”

“I wish to express my deep concern regarding recent news reports about piracy off the coast of Somalia. As we all know, Somalia has been without a central, recognized government for well over a decade. It has been over 3 years since I chaired a series of hearings in the Foreign Relations African Affairs Subcommittee on weak and failing states in Africa, one of which focused on the dire situation in Somalia and inadequate U.S. policy there. Years later, U.S. policy is still stagnant, I am sorry to report, and the danger persists, as these news reports indicate. The time is long overdue for the U.S. to make a long-term commitment to addressing this potential trouble spot. I have consistently urged the Administration to be vigilant in focusing on weak states as part of the global fight against terrorism. All the characteristics of some of Africa's weakest states-- manifestations of lawlessness such as piracy, illicit air transport networks, and traffic in arms and gemstones and people--can make the region attractive to terrorists and international criminals. Regrettably, Somalia is still not on the administration's radar. According to recent press reports, pirates off the coast of Somalia are building strength and growing comfortable in expanding their attacks. Despite a lull in pirate attacks over the last 2 years, in just the last 6 months there have been 25 attacks off the coast of Somalia, according to the International Maritime Bureau.…”