Somali pirates see Ukrainian tank ship free in days

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Somali pirates see Ukrainian tank ship free in days
02 Feb 2009 13:46:40 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds detail on ransom demand for German-owned tanker)

By Abdi Guled

MOGADISHU, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Somali pirates holding
a Ukrainian ship with 33 tanks on board said on Monday
they expected it to be released within days for a
$3 million ransom.

The MV Faina -- the highest-profile of a dozen ships
being held off Somalia -- was captured in September
with its 20-man crew and a cargo of Soviet-era T-72
tanks plus other weapons.

"The negotiations between us and the owners of the
ship are in the final phase. We are about to agree
$3 million, then we will release the ship, probably
after four days," pirate Aden Gelle told Reuters from
the port of Haradheere.

-snip-

The seizure of the Faina drew international attention,
not only for its military cargo, but also for a regional
row over the destination of the tanks.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L2168412.htm