Talks begin to free seized Ukrainian ship _English

MV Faina, a hijacked Ukrainian ship carrying 33 tanks, is seen from a U.S. Navy ship in the Gulf of Aden, in this handout from the U.S. Navy, Sept. 29, 2008.

MV Faina, a hijacked Ukrainian ship carrying 33 tanks, is seen from a U.S. Navy ship in the Gulf of Aden, in this handout from the U.S. Navy, Sept. 29, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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By Daniel Ooko

NAIROBI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Talks aimed at freeing the seized Ukrainian cargo ship carrying tanks and other arms have kicked off as warships from the United States and other navies have barricaded the MV Faina off the coastal region of Somalia.

Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the East Africa's Seafarers Assistance Program, said on Wednesday the negotiations started between the ship owners and the pirates in a bid to free the military hardware whose ownership remains unknown.

"Telephone contacts have started between the Somali pirates and the ship owners. As things stand, it seems the talks may take long since the ransom demand is too high," Mwangura told Xinhua by telephone.

The Somali pirates, who seized the MV Faina with its 21-man crew and 33 T-72 battle tanks last Thursday, said they are under 24-hour surveillance from the U.S. ships and helicopters.

There are 20 crew on board after one Russian died of illness. Most of the crew are Ukrainians, with two Russians and one Latvian.

The gunmen have demanded 20 million U.S. dollars to release the MV Faina which is owned and operated by Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine, and its crew includes citizens of Ukraine, Russia and Latvia.

U.S. officials said the ship is still being surrounded by three small boats of pirates while sailing 250 miles (about 400 km) off the coast of Somalia.

The latest hijackings are part of a surge of daring maritime attacks off the coast of Somalia, a war-torn country that has been without a functioning government since 1991.

There were reports that at least 100 pirates from the dreaded Somalia Youth Coast Guard were in control of the Faina, which is sailing under a Belize flag.

Pirates have seized dozens of ships near Somali coast in recent months.

Three Somali pirates die in hijacked Ukrainian vessel

NAIROBI, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Three Somali pirates have died in a shootout following the differences over what to do with the seized Ukrainian ship with crew members, arms and tanks aboard, a regional maritime official confirmed on Tuesday.

Andrew Mwangura of the East Africa's Seafarers Assistance Program said the three died on Monday night as they were guarding the MV Faina over the misunderstanding on whether to release the arms cargo that included 33 T-72 tanks and 20 crew members. Full story

Crew member of hijacked Ukrainian ship dies

NAIROBI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A crew member aboard a hijacked Ukrainian ship has died, as Somalia pirates who seized the vessel transporting weapons to Kenya said the vessel has been surrounded by three foreign warships.

Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the East Africa Seafarers' Association, said the crew member died of natural causes but confirmed that the remaining 20 others are safe. Full story

Confusion looms over ownership of seized Ukrainian military cargo

NAIROBI, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Controversy is looming over seized Ukrainian vessel carrying military equipment with fresh reports indicating that the arsenal was destined for south Sudan and not the Kenyan military.

Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program said on Sunday the Somali pirates claim to be in possession of confidential documents showing that the arms were actually destined for southern Sudan and not Kenya. Full story

Somali pirates threaten to sink hijacked Ukrainian ship

MOGADISHU, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Three foreign warships were surrounding the hijacked Ukrainian ship which is carrying 33 tanks for Kenya as Somali pirates holding it demanded a ransom of 20 million U.S. dollars, while threatening to sink it if any rescue operation is attempted, one of the pirates told local media on Sunday. Full story

Somalia pirates hijack Ukrainian ship with 21 crew

NAIROBI, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Armed Somali pirates have hijacked a Ukrainian ship with 21 crew members off the coast of Somalia in the latest attacks along the world's most dangerous waters, a regional maritime official said on Friday.

Andrew Mwangura, the coordinator of the East Africa Seafarers Assistance Program (SAP), said the Belize-flagged Faina vessel was carrying an authorized Ukrainian government arms shipment to Kenya including 38 type T-72 tanks, an extra number of armoured personnel carriers, and munitions for southern Sudan. Full story