Somalian pirates, instigators of over 100 successful attacks on shipping in the last year, came under attack yesterday from several high-profile piracy traditionalists.
In an open letter to the London Times, three history professors, a retired Admiral, a naval journalist and a respected novellist, slammed the Somali pirates for their "flagrant disregard" for the traditions of piracy.
"Recent high-profile attacks on vessels in international waters have brought these individuals to the forefront of public exposure" reads the letter. "Whilst we admire the Somalis for restoring piracy to the front pages after several hundred years absence, we cannot condone their methods, tactics ansd attire.
None of the Somalis wear the uniform traditionally associated with pirates. Brightly coloured scarves tied around their necks, eye patches, buckled shoes and even wooden legs are conspicuous by their absence. Furthermore, none of the pirates appeared to be in possession of a parrot; a frankly shocking omission.
We were astonished to see the Somalis armed with rather crude rifles, in what can only be described as a flagrant disregard for the tradition of using cutlasses and broken oars.
The list of Somali breaches of pirate tradition is simply too long to cover here, but includes ransom demands made in US Dollars rather than gold galleons, Swiss bank accounts rather than treasure chests, and a refusal to make anyone walk the plank."
Somali pirates are yet to respond to the charges, yet are believed to be concerned that the accusations may irrevocably tarnish their international reputation.
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