http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...f022ox5IU0KK9Q

Arrrrr, hat tip to the French matey.

BRUSSELS — European Union warships have captured seven suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia after two fast boats attacked a French fishing vessel, the EU's naval force said Wednesday. A German warship was despatched to the scene, while a helicopter from a nearby Spanish naval vessel -- the ESPS Canarias -- was launched and located the two skiffs trying to flee the area.
It looks like the EU is expanding it's influence. Either that or that France is feeling nostalgic about Africa again. This reminds me a bit of the "EU is Eval" thread. It looks like it's still a Franco-German force with those hot-blooded Hispanics in tow. I guess it would be appropriate if a Spaniard becomes president of the EU as it would mimic the role of the helicopter.

The thing I'm ashamed about is how this diminishes U.S. influence in the horn. Are we suffering from a Vietnam complex in Somalia? It's bothered me for so long that we've allowed this situation to persist for this long. I hope we're not back-sliding to the 90's. The "peace dividend" was a sub-prime loan.