Presidential Executive Order RE: Somalia Piracy

This was recently submitted to the gCaptain forum, but I thought it deserved some more attention here on the blog.  Steve Gordon of Gordon and Elias, LLP has posted President Obama’s April 13th Executive Order concerning Somalia and subsequent message to Congress.  In the executive order, President Obama declares a national emergency to deal with the “unusual and extraordinary” threat to national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by acts piracy off the coast of Somalia.  Steve Gordon writes:

Dear All- 

On April 13, 2010, President Obama issued an Executive Order and Message to Congress. These were posted on the Maritime Law Association which has a Piracy Committee of which I am a Member. The Order represents a clear recognition by the Obama Administration of the seriousness of the piracy situation off the coast of Somalia as it relates to the safety and welfare of our U.S. Mariners, Foreign Mariners and international trade and transport. As I interpret this Order, it makes illegal the payment of any ransom as a result of capture of a mariner and/or maritime goods or property. They are attached for your perusal and comment.

In addition to what Steve Gordon has mentioned above, the order also allows US financial asset freezes of anyone directly or indirectly involved with Somali piracy groups.  You can download and read the entire order and message to Congress at the links below:

• Executive Order concerning Somalia
• Message to Congress

Let us know your thoughts on this order by commenting here or participation in the discussion on the gCaptain forum HERE.

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