Piraterie

[Schneemann]

Japan mulls sending ships to Somalia to halt pirates

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Japan is considering joining an international effort to protect ships from a growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, a top official told reporters.

Japan's response is the latest reaction to attacks and hijackings in the all-important gulf -- which links the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Around 20,000 oil tankers, freighters and merchant vessels pass along the crucial shipping route each year.

Link: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/24/japan.pirates/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/1 ... index.html</a><!-- m -->

Schneemann.