BACKFIRED?:

Hostage killed as French storm yacht held by Somali pirates (Xan Rice, 4/10/09, guardian.co.uk)

A French military operation to free a yacht hijacked by Somali pirates backfired today when one of the hostages was killed, highlighting the perils facing US forces trying to free an American seaman being held captive in a parallel pirate standoff.

Four French hostages, including a three-year-old child, were rescued on board the Tanit, which was hijacked en route to Zanzibar last weekend. Two pirates also died in the raid, according to president Nicolas Sarkozy's office.

Despite the death of one of the hostages, the French government stood by the commando-style tactics – which they have used before – and stressed that they would not give in to pirates running amok in the Indian Ocean, who have seized dozens of vessels for ransom over the past year.

"During the operation, a hostage sadly died," a statement from Sarkozy's office said. But it added that the president "confirms France's determination not to give into blackmail, and to defeat the pirates".

Here's something you won't hear us say everyday: the French are absolutely right. The mission was a success.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 10, 2009 3:34 PM