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Somalia Seeks Funds to Fight Pirates on Land

Somali PM urges West to help his government stop pirates reaching the sea

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 15, 2009 8:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – Somalia's transitional government says it's ready to take on the pirates that prey on shipping off its shores, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Somalis say they can tackle the pirates on land more effectively than foreign navies can manage at sea—but they are currently outgunned and will need funding from the West to chase the pirates out of their havens.

"We are not being utilized as much as we could be," Somalia's prime minister said. "We need to fight pirates on land. We have information about how they function and who they are." He warned that international assistance will be needed quickly because the pirates' hefty ransoms are making them richer and more powerful than the government.

[Images (3)]

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US congressman Donald Payne, left, has discussions with Somalia Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid, Monday, April 13, 2009 in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. (AP Photo/Mohamed Sheikh Nor)

Eight suspected Somali pirates appear before a Kenyan judge in this file photo. (AP Photo)

Captured Somali pirates are guarded by soldiers in Bassaso Puntland, Somalia, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. (AP Photo)

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It's a lot cheaper to deal with this on the land before these guys get into the water. - Rep. Donald M. Payne (D-N.J.)

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Somalia Seeks Funds to Fight Pirates on Land