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Pirates Threaten Ship

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 11, 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya - Through a spokesman, the pirates who hijacked an arms-laden Ukrainian tanker off Somalia issued an ultimatum Friday and threatened to destroy the ship if no ransom is paid.

The MV Faina is surrounded by U.S. warships, and a Russian frigate is heading toward the scene, raising the stakes for a possible commando-style raid on the ship. The vessel is carrying 33 tanks and other heavy weapons.

Friday's threat was unusual. Pirates operating off Somalia rarely harm their hostages, instead holding out for a ransom that often exceeds $1 million. But international pressure was mounting regarding the Faina hijacking, with NATO forces planning to deploy.

"We held a consultative meeting for more than three hours today and decided to blow up the ship and its cargo - us included - if the ship owners did not meet our ransom demand," Sugule Ali told The Associated Press when a reporter called the satellite telephone on board the ship.

He gave the ship owners until Monday night to pay.

The Associated Press

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