On Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:58:42 -0600, wrote:

On Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:12:36 -0500, Eisboch wrote:

Good in theory, but just not realistically enforceable in a dependable
way. The area would still be immense and very difficult to monitor, even
with aircraft.
These clowns are using very small boats in a very large ocean.

The problem isn't really military capabilities. The problem is the
navies are hamstrung by international law.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7735144.stm

This part is total bull****.

"I have also heard from someone who used to advise British forces in
the region and he says you cannot under international law convert a
commercial ship into a kind of warship."

While true that you can't turn a, say, tanker into a battleship, you
certainly have the right by international law to protect yourself, the
cargo and the vessel.

If that means carying anti-tank weapons, automatic rifles or hiring
mercenaries to protect you, your cargo and your ship, that's perfectly
legal.

Shakespeare was right - kill all the lawyers.