Steps to combat piracy off Africa

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced steps the Obama administration will take to help combat piracy off the Horn of Africa.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday announced steps the Obama administration will take to help combat piracy off the Horn of Africa.

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Here is a summary of what the State Department will do:

* Send an envoy to the Somali donors conference set for April 23 in Brussels. The envoy will work with US partners on ways to improve the situation in Somalia.

* Call for immediate meetings with US partners in the Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia to coordinate an expanded multinational response. Specifically:

* Work to forge a renewed determination that states take responsibility for prosecuting and imprisoning captured pirates.

* Develop strategies to secure the release of ships and crews now held by Somali pirates.

* Explore ways to track and freeze pirate assets.

* Reiterate to everyone the US policy of making no concessions or ransom payments to hostage takers.

* Organize meetings with Somali government officials from the Transitional Federal Government as well as regional leaders in Puntland and elsewhere.

* Press authorities within Somalia to take action against pirates operating from bases within their territory.

* Work with shippers and the insurance industry to address gaps in their self-defense measures.