Truemors
Sept-30
Russian tanks are in the hands of the Pirates of Somalia.
US destroyer patrolling near by, $20 - $30 million ransom.
MOGADISHU - As a heavily armed United States destroyer patrolled nearby and planes flew overhead, a Somali pirate declared that his group wanted a US$20 million (nearly $30 million) ransom to release a cargo ship loaded with Russian tanks.
He also warned that he and his fellow pirates would fight to the death if any country took military action to regain the ship, and a man who said he was the ship's captain said one crew member had died.
The pirates seized the Ukrainian-operated ship Faina off the coast of Somalia on Friday as it was carrying 33 Russian-built T-72 tanks, ammunition and spare parts to Kenya.
The ordnance was ordered by the Kenyan Government.
The guided missile destroyer USS Howard was stationed off Somalia yesterday, making sure the pirates did not remove the tanks, ammunition and other heavy weapons from the ship, which was anchored off the coast.
A US 5th fleet spokesman said the Navy was "deeply concerned" over the fate of the ship's 21-member crew and cargo.
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