No modern-day Robin Hoods

The daily De Standaard writes that the international community can do little to control the problem of pirates off the Somali coast. "The EU operation will have no more than a deterrent effect. The coast of anarchic Somalia is over 3,000 kilometres long, while the pirates are constantly expanding their area of operations. ... The pirate bands comprise fishermen, because they know the sea well, men who fought under the Somali Warlords and are able to supply heavy weapons and also people who can handle all the technological equipment - GPS and satellite telephones - needed for piracy these days. The pirates of Somalia are therefore no latter-day versions of Robin Hood and his men who want justice for the poor. These modern criminals do what they do because of the money, the power and the women who feel attracted to their hero status."

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