Speaker. contemporary international politics has taken on the appearance of a tale of horror. a continuing series of crises and tragedies from the assassination of presidents and popes and prime ministers to the forcible seizure of hostages as well as terrorist activities of every imaginable kind. One of the most heartrending and least publicized atrocities that is taking place even as I speak is the barbarism perpetrated by modernday pirates who prey upon helpless boat people in the seas of Southeast Asia. particularly the Gulf of Siam. The hapless passengers of these refugee boats are cruelly subjected to robbery. rape. and even murder. Girls as young as 10. 11. and 12 are raped repeatedly while relatives look helplessly on. The women are often subsequently abducted to an island infamously referred to as rape island. there to be subjected to the vicious cruelty of these neobarbarians.