The UN Security Council has for the first time authorised the states fighting piracy off Somalia's coast to conduct land and air attacks on pirate bases on the coast of the Horn of Africa to deal with menace.The Council's move came as the US for the first time supported deployment of the UN peacekeepers in the war torn country which does not have working government for last 17 years. Most of the southern part is controlled by Islamists and the government recognised by the United Nations hardly holds sway over any territory and is weak and divided.The spurt in the pirates who have earned millions of dollars in ransom by hijacking ships in major sea lanes have created panic and several countries have sent naval ships but without much effect.The Council decided to give wide powers to the countries whose Navies are operating in areas as diplomats said they were handicapped as they could not pursue pirates on land in Somalia. But by some accounts, the pirates are leading luxurious lives in Somalia on the money obtained from ransoms. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who attended the Council's meeting on Tuesday, said Washington would set up a contact group to coordinate and enhance anti-piracy efforts and called for setting up a United Nations peacekeeping force by the end of the year.Most of the countries including India, who participated in the discussions, supported Rice but the United Nations officials were worried about the effectiveness of peacekeepers in the current uncertain security situation in the country.In this context, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, cautious of the fact the inability of the peacekeepers to bring the situation under control could attract strong criticism, suggested a multinational force with a robust mandate to control the situation ahead of the peacekeeping mission. But the UN Ban also admitted that his attempt to find a country or a regional organisation to lead the multinational force has failed. He had approached some 50 countries without any response.Though speakers repeatedly mentioned Transitional Federal Government which is recognised by the international community, diplomats pointed out that it hardly exists and that withdrawal of troops by Ethiopia, which are supporting it, by the end of the year could further create chaos in the lawless country.The US-drafted resolution unanimously adopted by the 15-member Council on Tuesday evening called on those states and organisations able to do so to actively participate in defeating piracy and armed robbery off Somalia's coast by deploying naval vessels and military aircraft, and through seizure and disposition of boats and arms used in the commission of those crimes.The Council was acting on a letter received from the Transitional government for international assistance to counter the surge in piracy and armed robberies.The Council invited all such states and regional organisations to conclude special agreements or arrangements with countries willing to take custody of pirates to embark law enforcement officials, known as "shipriders", from the latter countries to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of persons detained as a result of operations conducted under this resolution.Besides Rice, the Council meeting was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband. The three, who had come to the United Nations to attend the meeting the International Quartet on Middle East Monday, had discussions on a wide range of international issues.
