Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 28, 2008

Foreign Warships Tracking Somali Pirates
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1E698CB:A6F02AD83191E1605B94840492580F455C6F54A6CF9DC2CA&
 
Somali official says three warships, one from US and the other two are
from European countries are tracking pirates 
A U.S. navy warship is tracking a Ukrainian vessel carrying weapons that
was seized by pirates off the Somali coast. A Canadian Navy warship
Ville de Quebec, foreground, secures safe sailing as they escort a World
Food Programme ship on off the coast of Somalia (File)A Navy spokesman
said Sunday that a Navy destroyer has made visual contact with the
Ukrainian ship, the MV Faina. A Somali official in the semi-autonomous
region of Puntland, adviser to the presidency, Bile Mohamoud Qabowsade,
says two other warships from European countries are also tracking the
vessel. On Friday, the Russian Navy said it was sending a frigate,
Neustrashimy, to Somalia's coast. The hijacked ship is carrying 33
Russian-made T-72 tanks, as well as ammunition and spare parts for the
armored vehicles. Twenty one people are aboard the ship, which was
seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday as it traveled to
Kenya. The pirates are reported to be demanding a $35-million ransom for
the release of the vessel. In other developments, maritime officials say
Somali pirates seized a Greek tanker and its crew Friday in the Gulf of
Aden. The 19 crew members are Romanians. Separately, authorities
announced Saturday that Somali pirates released vessels from Egypt,
Malaysia and Japan along with their crews. Officials say Japan and
Malaysia each paid a $2-million dollar ransom. It is not clear if Egypt
paid a ransom to secure the release of its vessel. Some information for
this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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