Killing of yachters by Somali pirates 'deplorable,' Hillary Clinton says
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemned the killing of four American yachters -- including two from Southern California -- allegedly at the hands of Somali pirates.
Clinton said the case underscores the need for a more coordinated approach to protecting vessels going through areas where Somali pirates prey.
"This deplorable act by the pirates that stalk vessels in the waters off of Somalia firmly underscores the need for the international community to act more decisively together," she said. "We’ve got to have a more effective approach to maintaining security on the seas, in the ocean lanes that are so essential to commerce and travel."
Jean and Scott Adam of Southern California and Phyllis Macay and Robert Riggle of Seattle were killed on the yacht several days after it was hijacked off the coast of Oman.
The daughter and son-in-law of Scott Adam issued a statement late Tuesday thanking the U.S. Navy for the attempted rescue of the four hostages.
"We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women of the Navy and other military branches who risked their lives trying to save them," said a statement issued through the FBI by the Sem family of Escondido. Their first names were not revealed.
FBI agents were with the Sem family Tuesday as news of the killings was made public.
"Our loved ones were tragically taken from us and our hearts are broken," said the family statement, which asked for the media to respect their privacy.
Accounts of the killings varied Tuesday and could take some time to sort out.
The Adams were headed toward the Red Sea and then the Greek islands on Friday when, according to U.S. military officials, pirates boarded the Quest off the coast of Oman.
Almost immediately, U.S. naval vessels began shadowing the yacht, negotiating for the Americans' release as the vessels made their way south toward Somalia, said Lt. Col. Mike Lawhorn, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, part of an international coalition of anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean.
There were signs of dissent among the pirates. On Monday, two of them abandoned the yacht and came aboard the guided-missile destroyer Sterett.
Then on Tuesday morning, the pirates fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the Sterett, which missed, according to the U.S. military. As some pirates came on deck with hands raised, as if trying to surrender, a team of 15 Navy SEALs boarded the yacht amid small-arms fire. President Obama had authorized the use of force if the military determined that the hostages' lives were in imminent danger, the White House said.
RELATED:
Daughter and son-in-law of hostage slain by pirates thank Navy
Navy ship Sterett took lead in rescue attempt against Somali pirates
-- Scott Gold and Tony Perry
Photo: Southern California residents Jean Adam, 66, and her husband, Scott, 70, on Oct. 20, 2005. Credit: Del Rey Yacht Club
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Weak response by a weak rep of a weak government headed by a weak President! Yes, let's "talk about it" with other countries! Stupid! How about blasting pirates out of the water and letting Somalia know that the next incident turns Somalia into a parking lot!
Posted by: WallyG | February 23, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Time to add another verse to the Marine Corps Hymn.
Posted by: Chuk | February 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM
The Navy is covering up this incident. Those hostages died because the Navy forced the situation. If two pirates were negotiating aboard the Sterett, why would firing break out? And if the pirates had their hands up, why did the Navy shoot? And finally, why would a Navy SEAL use a knife to kill one of the pirates? That tactic is used to silence a sentry when boarding a vessel. Why has the Times not questioned the militaries explanation?
Posted by: inbox1909 | February 23, 2011 at 11:12 AM
How about US ships start patrolling those waters and arrest any small boats with guns? How that for starters?
Posted by: Hal | February 23, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Guess this is all Hillary can say. It is part of the Obama admin and secretary of state to be involved in the world and prevent this stuff from happening. This admin is worthless
Posted by: uncle_sax | February 23, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Maybe the president will "condemn" their actions. LOL! Enough is enough. No criminal trials for these scumbags. Strategic air strike time. Problem solved. We're going to keep getting slapped in the face until something is done about it. This part of the world is being bullied by these thugs, and they're not going to stop.
Posted by: SRC | February 23, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Why do we even tolerate this? The Navy should send out hit squads to take these pirates out at the source. Clean up the Gulf. Show these criminals the sword and missile on a regular basis and the piracy will disappear. The world us upside down. We tolerate this in the same manner we tolerate child killers, rapists and molesters in this county. TV, 3 meals a day and books. What deterrent is there? Clinton, of who I am a fan, just sounds like another idiot lawyer on this issue.
Posted by: Robert | February 23, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Deplorable? kinda harsh
Posted by: Tvegas | February 23, 2011 at 12:26 PM
This is why the policy of pre- emptive strikes must be extended.By the time the Somali's boarded the yacht it was already too late.
Posted by: EKJunction | February 23, 2011 at 12:40 PM
OHMIGOSH! Secretary of State said this action was "deplorable". That should scare hell out of the Somalis, huh? If the President condemns this action...well...that will do it for the pirates.
How 'bout we destroy all boats on the Somali coast?
Posted by: Jrwkilleen | February 23, 2011 at 02:08 PM
Four Americans from the west coast were murdered on the high seas. I want reassurance from our leaders that this type of thing won't happen anymore. Still waiting...
Posted by: Citizen | February 23, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Let's send Clinton to Somalia to tell them killing the yachter's was deplorable and the U.S. won't stand for such continued behavior. Maybe she could issue a stern warning on behalf of Obama. The Democrats really know how to strike fear in the hearts of terrorists.
Posted by: George Omigoshian | February 23, 2011 at 02:36 PM
Instead of calling up air strikes, how about people who knowing go into dangerous waters be made aware that they are on their own (like people who stay behind in Category 5 hurricanes). I am sure if all the commenters who want air strikes knew the cost of having a naval vessel trail this yacht through Somali water, they might change their minds.
We have no fly zones. Now, apparently, we need no yacht zones.
Posted by: Jo Slattery | February 23, 2011 at 02:58 PM
why do we put up with gangs in our own country
Posted by: hummer1965 | February 23, 2011 at 03:10 PM
Really? We're seriously, *seriously* in debt as a country and you folks want to fritter away more money with "preemptive" air strikes against a country with a very small percentage population of pirates?
Grief, it's the same story over and over... one guy upsets us so we go destroy the entire freakin' country. And then we just can't believe, *cannot* believe why anyone wouldn't like us! We're all about freedom and justice, right? Our freedom, our brand of justice, like it or we attack you next.
Some of you cowboys need to grow the heck up.
Posted by: Shannon, M.Div. | February 23, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Wow. Maybe the U.S. military should start patrolling where the majority of Americans are murdered. In the good ole USA.
Posted by: sophie | February 23, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Instead of talking about it Hillary, why don't you do something about it. Talk is cheap and you should know all about that. Why don't you just shoot them, they are guilty of murder and that is what you do with pirates. Isn't it ironic we have become so civilized that piracy can not only exist but flourish. History has shown how to deal with pirates, and it's not talking about it.
Posted by: ev | February 23, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Why do American's think they are entitled to travel to parts of the world where it's very dangerous. Just like those idiots who stepped into North Korea and Iran.
Posted by: Ray | February 23, 2011 at 03:36 PM
Seems like the solutions being offered up here amount to, "let's kill them all and let God sort them out".
How moral of you.
Posted by: affableman | February 23, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Hey Shannon, tell that to the 680+ people still being held captive by the pirates. It's not just one guy doing it, the pathetic government of Somalia, if they have one, is allowing it to happen. For years now, the British navy along with others has been escorting ships in this area. It's too much for too long. Blast em!!! Game over, no trial for us to pay for, no incarceration for us to fund.
Posted by: SRC | February 23, 2011 at 04:35 PM
Funniest quote of the year: From London Telegraph, " pirate sources told the Telegraph." Yeah like pirates are credible!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | February 24, 2011 at 12:27 AM
How ironic. Wasn't it Clinton who opened our shores to hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees?
50,000 to 80,000 (no one is sure of the exact number due to many of them being illegal aliens here on expired Visas) are in Columbus, OH.
And they are quickly surpassing illegal alien latinos as the biggest exploiters of the American taxpayer.
Posted by: gb | February 24, 2011 at 01:11 AM
Hillary is such an idiot. Pirates do this and all she can do is say it is 'Deplorable'. How about getting your stupid administration off of its gay marriage kick and put an end to those pirates once and for all.
Posted by: uncle_charlie | February 24, 2011 at 06:49 PM