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| Africa Horn |
| Somali Pirates stick to $20-million ransom demand |
| 2008-10-02 |
| (SomaliNet) After a seven-day standoff in the Indian Ocean, Somali pirates who hijacked a ship laden with tanks and heavy weapons stared down US warships and helicopters again Wednesday, making no move to withdraw their $20-million ransom demand or give up. The hijacking of the Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina - carrying 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks, rifles, and heavy weapons that US defence officials have said included rocket launchers - was the highest-profile act of piracy in the dangerous waters off Somalia in 2008. The US Navy says it wants to keep the arms out of the hands of militants linked to al-Qaeda in impoverished Somalia, a key battleground in the war on terrorism. To that end, it has surrounded the Faina, anchored off the central Somali town of Hobyo, with half a dozen ships, including USS guided missile destroyer USS Howard. US officials said 40-50 pirates were involved in the hijacking, but only about 30 were on the ship itself. US Navy officials from the 5th Fleet said they have allowed the pirates to resupply the ship with food and water, but not to unload any of its military cargo. Ukrainian news agencies have said the ship's operator is Tomex Team, based in the Black Sea port of Odessa. The US fears the armaments may end up with the militants who have been waging an insurgency against the shaky, UN-backed Somali transitional government since late 2006, when the Islamic fighters were driven out after six months in power. More than 9 000 people have been killed in the Iraq-style insurgency. American military officials and diplomats say the weapons are destined for southern Sudan, but Kenyan officials insist the weapons are bound for their country. The Faina had a crew of 21, mostly Ukrainians, but a man who has been identified as the first mate, Vladimir Nikolsky, told The Associated Press on Sunday that one man died of hypertension. Russian media said it was the freighter's captain, Vladimir Kolobkov. In a telephone conversation posted on the Web site Life.ru and apparently initiated by the news site, a man identifying himself as Nikolsky made what sounded like a coded call for help, repeating a Russian word for "seals" three times - an apparent reference to a possible amphibious rescue. The Russian guided missile frigate Neustrashimy (Intrepid) is travelling to the area, but was not expected for several days. Most pirate attacks occur in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, north of Somalia. But recently pirates have been targeting Indian Ocean waters off eastern Somalia. Some 62 ships have been attacked in the notorious African waters in 2008. A total of 26 ships were hijacked, and 12 remain in the hands of the pirates along with more than 200 crew members. International warships patrol the area and have created a special security corridor under a US-led initiative, but attacks have not abated. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #4 Let em keep negotiating. The Russians will be there soon enough. After which, the pirates might wish they had picked a different target. From what I understand, the Russians negotiate like Korben Dallas in Fifth Element. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2008-10-02 20:01 |
| #3 Spent some time last night with Google trying to find how much money a T-72 is worth. Couldn't find it. There were, however, websites offering T-72s for sale. They just didn't put the price on the website. Presumably that means the price is negotiable. I'm just thinking, though, that if a T-72 is worth a million bucks and this ship is carrying 33 of 'em these pirates might wanna demand a little more. That is, assuming they live long enough to spend it. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2008-10-02 11:50 |
| #2 Ah come on. It's not a 'ransom', it's...it's a bailout package. We'll give you your economy back after you agree to.... |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-10-02 07:29 |
| #1 The way to stop pirates is not ransom, just rockets. Takes the profit out of the business. |
| Posted by: Richard of Oregon 2008-10-02 04:56 |