As an American, I'm getting tired of everyone asking for our help. Not that we need it but I don't recall hearing anyone willing to offer support regarding our issues. It's time we say: Sorry, but we're focused on our country right now. Best of luck to you though.

occincin, Orange County, USA

Liberian ship, let Liberian navy rescue them. So many companies use Liberian Registry to circumvent safety and other regulations. Maybe the ship should have had Saudi registry and the Saudi government could defend it. Or USA registry.

Jim, Detroit, USA

Maybe this time Saudi will decide to chip in and pay their fair share of the cost's involved in stationing ships in the area for protection. That said, let's blow them pirates out of the water, all wanted dead, not alive.

Bill, Houston, USA

The Saudis are furious and want the international community to do something. Here's a thought, why don't the Saudis do something?

Sam Spade, Chicago, USA

The Saudis are forever pontificating on World Affairs and funding anti-Western madrases.
Possibly they should be a big as their rhetoric and putting Arab Pride first, sort it out themselves but then again, when have they ever sorted out anything.
Criticise the US and then ask for help - typical

Howard Leech, Gdansk, Poland

I am amazed at all the Americans who comment on The Times stories or like me are these Brits aboad? I have no problem with their comments but are they not able to comment on American paper's web sites? Why comment here, would like to know if there is a particular reason?

Neil, Dubai, UAE

Someone wake up che guevara in Berkeley because he knows how to fix this. Is Jim Jones still running the democrats?

John H, Hobart, Aust,

Obama the Merciful should be able to resolve this "incident in a matter of only a few hours.

Jack Webb, Los Angeles, USA

The oil maybe from Saudi, but its most likely owned by Americans, so its only common sense to get the US navy to sort this out!!

Asim Hafeez, West Mids, England

You live by the sword; you die by the sword.

Susie, Cleveland, USA

Now, this is ironic: The Saudis labeling someone else a terrorist. I'd say someone owes these pirates a reward for making the Saudis feel like us poor "infidels" for a change.

I. Wilson, Minden, USA

don't get cought up in the name game terrorist or pirates, these are all the same, they use force and fear for there own needs be it money or ideals. armed security is a good idea but then ACLU may bring suit against the force if ever its used.

Mike, Reno, USA

Maybe we can now buy cheaper blackmarket oil from Somalia. Let the Saudis fix this mess with their pirate brothers.

Phillippe, Pittsburgh, USA

This is no social problem. It is base criminality and should be dealt with firmly with a sound high seas response - shoot pirates on sight, period.

Curtis E., Charlotte, NC, USA

It's like the kettle calling the pot black. OPEC is cutting production because the price of crude dropped by nearly half over the last couple of months, refusing to give the world's nations a chance to steady their economies, seeking to continue profiteering at the world's expense. Reap as you sow..

Sean, Antlers,

There is no war on terror. This is just fear mongering.

(gee, it's fun to repeat liberal cliches instead of thinking)

Patrick, grosse ile, U.S.A.

Saudi Arabia complaining about terrorists and terrorism? Pot, meet kettle. You can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

KP, Florida, USA

How's this for an idea: Saudi Arabia has a navy as well. How about they deal with it instead of the US once more doing the work that everyone needs to get done but doesn't want to get their hands dirty?

Alex, Portland, OR, USA

give me a break! have the Saudis finally admitted the existance of terroist? and now they want international intervention since it affects them directly. where were they when their homegrown terrorist were doing the bad things around the world? Let their navy solve the problem.

d Willette, sneads ferry nc,

You can wager that the ACLU is already working on their defense of these pirates should any condemnation occur via either the UN or some foreign courtroom.

Baboo Ramilar, Garryowen, Montana, USA

Have a problem Paul F. Cape? Since Obama hasn't said a word about the issue it's hard to know how he would react. Why not wait till he actually becomes Commander in Chief and is able to give orders before sneering, or are you just looking for any excuse to badmouth the man?

Hugh Allen, Solingen, Germany

Terrorists? Sounds like the Pot calling the Kettle black!

Keith, Lake Forest, CA

Where's Austin Powers when you need him?

John, Los Angeles, USA

The US Constitution still allows Congress to issue letters of Marque & Reprisal to authorise private enterprise to extirpate pirates. What are they waiting for?

Alexander Walker, Sheffield, U. K..

Where's Peter Sellers when you need him?

John, Los Angeles, USA

Don't the Saudi's have their own navy? Let them rescue their own ship.

Fred Bob, The Bayou, Lousiana

Truly, Obama will solve this. Just let his holiness use his soothing words and calm demeanor. He will sit down and talk with the "maverick" rebels and impress them with his suits and ties. I'm certain that his platitudes and apologies will open their eyes to the truth. Obama rules all!

Paul F, Cape Canaveral, USA

Why not put machine guns, etc. aboard these ships! That would surely get somebodys attention real quick!

K. Andersen, Snellville, GA., USA

Hope the hostages have their Ipods !

Charles Brooker, Reading, UK

These are not pirates. They are patriotic Somalis who wish to supply their countrymen with fuel for their SUVs and Personal Watercraft. Oh Yeah....

bai pon kee, London, England

It's good to know the Saudi royal family is outraged at the act of piracy which has hit home. Perhaps they will be willing to contribute something significant to the countries which operate navies capable of dealing with these pirates - say $10 million per month to defray the monetary cost.

Harry McConnell, Ormond Beach, USA

Somali piracy is a symptom of a social problem. More efforts need to go to solving the disaster on the mainland to remove the incentive.

Nonetheless, the Saudis have a substantial military force, capital and other interests. It is an auspicious time for an excuse to buy more (American) weapons.

Mathieu, Delft, Netherlands

Why doesn't the Saudi's send out their Navy to defend their own ships. Oh, that's right, they don't have a navy. I guess they expect the US to be their body gaurd.

Bob, Oceanside, USA

Ship captains yield control to harbor captains when approaching. leaving, and in harbor.
Seems like a similar arrangement: (attack) helicopter mobilized 'hostile water' captains, and crew, could do the same in hostile water zones.
All that's needed: a will and an internationally agreed way.

Lloyd, Austin,

Matt - the US has not had any US-flagged ships taken because there are practically no US-flagged ships operating anywhere in the world. Even american shipping companies use flags of convenience (Liberia and Panama are popular choices, as is my adopted hometown) because US laws are so restrictive.

Matt, Hamilton, Bermuda

First off these are not terrorist, they are hijackers and no matter what Bush has gotten you to believe there is a difference. Terrorist have no capital goal in mind, hijackers are all about the capital gains.

Shawn, Pittsburgh, USA

Not to worry, we have Obama now. He will meet with our allies and pass many resolutions at the U.N. He will offer to meet with the shippers and the alleged pirates. By working together he will bring change on the water. Plus peace and harmony for the good of all mankind.

Stumypete, washington, d.c., usa

Hopefully we(USA) stays out of it.... Why rescue the Saudi when all they do is jack the price of crude sky high. Time they take care of themselves...

Richard, Sitka, Alaska, USA

Hey, Iraq is drying up for the "contractor" companies like blackwater and honeywell. Seems like a perfect opportunity to provide some private security.

Seriously, the US has a long held tradition of not negotiating with terrorists and notice none of our ships have been taken.

Matt, charlotte, US

Hmmm, you hijack a vessel, and take 25 people hostage. In my book, you are a terrorist. This seem obvious to me. The one thing that does not make sense to me is why they negotiate with these thugs. They need to adopt a policy of Regan, and no negotiation. Do this, and the piracy will stop.

Stone, Atlanta, USA

If the Saudi Royals believe Terrorism hurts us all maybe they should stop funding/backing it!
About time they suffered some consequences even in a round about way.

Send a force in to the area and just make the pirates 'disappear"

Ray, Concord, USA

Someone needs to ride "posse" for these ships I am sure the cost of that would be less than the ransoms being demanded.

J Williamson, Lanarkshire, Scotland

vacancy: accountants needed!!!!
we are the biggest and the boldest piracy compnay in the world and we want profesional accountants to join our growing company. you must be very profesional and a nice person. your first task will be to sort out our latest venture before james bond and his crew come

zak D, London, UK

Guess what the next James Bond film will be all about?
I hope the QE2 can accelerate quickly.

james allen, manchester, england

Would it surprise anyone if this was a result of the radical OPEC countries funding this piracy as a ploy to bring the oil prices back up, as a result of their production cuts last week couldn't raise the price?
Just a thought.

Jonathan, Tuscaloosa, U.S.A.

How about the Saudi's build a Navy instead of spending it on football teams, sunglasses and Mercs. Then they can do something about it instead of us...yet again.

Phill, The Wirral, England

I agree with Eric and suspect the rumour that Charles mentioned may have some truth. I have neither the skills nor the experience to be worthy, but I would love to be an "anti-pirate". With one helicopter ship and about 3 attack choppers you could lay waste to those pirates. sign me up.

ralph, Atlanta, USA

In Saudi Arabia the "chichens have come home to roost"
2 bad 4 U

JP, boston, usa

Let's see if I understand this .... we have ships that are protecting food shipments to Somalia ... but the Somali government is not doing anything to help prevent piracy?

I cannot imagine that crews of ships in those waters are not significantly armed to deter pirates.

JamesCanby, Columbia, MD, USA

Why not deploy tactics like merchant navy ships did against the U-Boats. Have navy personnel on board these ships with hidden arms while travelling through dangerous waters.Pirates will soon realise that ships may return fire on them same as air marshalls on planes

K Dodson, Stornoway, Scotland

"Nato, however, says its priority is escorting World Food Programme ships that deliver basic rations for three million hungry Somalis. "
Well, we can stop that for starters.

JonB, Manchester, UK

Where is Bruce Willis?

Tim, London,

Where's Thatcher when you need her?

Issue an ultimatum for the release of the hostages, if that fails send the Royal Navy and the SBS for a hostage rescue mission. Piracy is terrorism we should not be entering into any negotiations.

Marc Krajewski, Durham, United Kingdom

Why not do the simple thing, hire out a cargo ship filled with empty containers, crew it with Royal Marines and sent it out as a tempting target…. End result less piracy!

dom, yeovil, england

I guess the Saudi's should underwrite the American, Israeli, and Western Navies to protect their interests or set up their own. Now one is seeing how Global Terrorism that started in Saudi Arabia is akin to Global Piracy that has been going on since we invented Ships. Good Men Must Stand Up To Both

Agmines, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

It is past time that nations conveying high value cargoes by sea acted to protect both the ships crews and their cargoes by sending naval escort vessels at the same time. This would add only a small percentage to the cost of transportation and be highly effective.

Geoff Mitchell, Torquay, UK

So the pirates are trying to change public option though the use of violence? how exactly ? But then again a lot of terrorists are Saudi or funded by them so perhaps they are true experts.

Gavin, London, GB

Let me see. Hmmmm.
Ya think there might be a few guys, somewhere in the world, who might be willing to hire-on as "anti-pirates", if someone were to, say, buy a couple fast boats and provide a little "equipment"? What, a couple million dollars wouldn't take care of this deal?

Eric, Newport Beach, USA

We need to bring back the "Q Ship" idea and kill these worthless criminals.

David, Wichita, USA

I hereby move that the word "Terrorist" be replaced with "Emmanuel Goldstein" to comlete the transition to Newspeak...

Peter, London,

Nothing's turned up on ebay yet.

David Masu, Zürich, Switzerland

Rumour has it that the masterminds behind the piracy operate out of the gulf states with a certain degree of impunity. Now that the Saudi Royals are the ones getting hit in the pocket, this incident may the motivation for Change.

Charles Smyth, Belfast, Northern Ireland

yaaarrrrrrrrr!

jonny, houston, usa

I guess the word terrorist is loosing its true identity - it really should be on the list of overused cliches

bjorn, london,