Pirates demand hefty ransom
Pastor Dale Morgan
Pirates demand hefty ransom
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From correspondents in Bosassa, Somalia
June 03, 2008 11:06pm
Article from: Reuters
Gunmen holding a Dutch ship in northern Somalia demanded a $US1.1m
($1.15m) ransom for the vessel, a day after the UN Security Council gave
countries the right to combat piracy off the Somali coastline.
The MV Amiya Scan, managed by the Dutch Reider Shipping BV, was hijacked
by Somali pirates on May 27 as it made its way to Romania from the
Kenyan port city of Mombasa.
The pirates holding the Dutch ship demand a have demanded the $US1.1
million ransom , while the owners say they are willing to pay
$US700,000, ($733,000), said a close ally of the pirates who gave his
name only as Abdullahi.
Negotiations were ongoing and the nine Russian and Filipino crew members
were in good health, he said.
The company was not immediately available to comment.
Abdullahi said he takes food and other goods to the gunmen who are holed
up in Eyl, a fishing town along the Indian Ocean.
Hijackings are common in the chaotic country's un-patrolled waters,
where pirates normally treat their hostages well in anticipation of
hefty ransoms.
The Security Council this week unanimously adopted a resolution
authorising some countries to conduct anti-piracy actions in Somali
waters after a surge in hijackings.
Seizing ships is good business in Somalia which has been without an
effective central government since 1991.
Late last week, Somali pirates seized two freighters although little was
known about the vessels, residents said.