British FM: UK won't pay ransom to Somali pirates

TheLancinator · 11-20-2008, 01:19 PM

British FM: UK won't pay ransom to Somali pirates
Associated Press

LONDON – Foreign Secretary David Miliband says Britain won't pay a ransom for two Britons being held by pirates off the east African coast.

Miliband said Thursday that paying for the release of hostages risks encouraging more piracy.

He says a European force should deploy to the Gulf of Aden to support a NATO armada currently patrolling off the coast of Somalia. EU officials are expected to discuss plans to send ships from about 10 countries to root out pirates.

Oil supertanker MV Sirius Star was seized last weekend off Kenya carrying 2 million barrels of oil and 25 crew members. It's cargo is worth $100 million.

Miliband's office says Britons Peter French and James Grady are among the oil tanker's crew.

**Nemowork** · 11-20-2008, 03:14 PM

By coincidence Peter French comes from Leamside which is close to me, he has a 17 year old daughter, not that its important just incidental detail.

I have a feeling theres not a lot the navies can do in general, the hostages and ships are spread out among 3 ports on seperate ships so any action would take co-ordinated action by major numbers of special forces with limited intelligence on enemy numbers and sea and air power while any damage to the ships could cause an ecological disaster.

The Saudis are likely to pay to get their oil back, its what they do, then the British government will claim they didnt pay and stood firm, its what they do!

11-20-2008, 01:19 PM	#1
TheLancinator I love Post Icons Join Date: Jul 2006 Tournaments Won: 2 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 119,449 Thanks: 83 Thanked 875 Times in 613 Posts	British FM: UK won't pay ransom to Somali pirates British FM: UK won't pay ransom to Somali pirates Associated Press LONDON – Foreign Secretary David Miliband says Britain won't pay a ransom for two Britons being held by pirates off the east African coast. Miliband said Thursday that paying for the release of hostages risks encouraging more piracy. He says a European force should deploy to the Gulf of Aden to support a NATO armada currently patrolling off the coast of Somalia. EU officials are expected to discuss plans to send ships from about 10 countries to root out pirates. Oil supertanker MV Sirius Star was seized last weekend off Kenya carrying 2 million barrels of oil and 25 crew members. It's cargo is worth $100 million. Miliband's office says Britons Peter French and James Grady are among the oil tanker's crew. __________________

11-20-2008, 03:14 PM	#2
Nemowork Klompendance? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mobilis in Mobilii Posts: 25,341 Thanks: 6 Thanked 16 Times in 7 Posts	By coincidence Peter French comes from Leamside which is close to me, he has a 17 year old daughter, not that its important just incidental detail. I have a feeling theres not a lot the navies can do in general, the hostages and ships are spread out among 3 ports on seperate ships so any action would take co-ordinated action by major numbers of special forces with limited intelligence on enemy numbers and sea and air power while any damage to the ships could cause an ecological disaster. The Saudis are likely to pay to get their oil back, its what they do, then the British government will claim they didnt pay and stood firm, its what they do! __________________ “A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.” Moliere "You do the unseemly behavior, I'll handle the moderation" - Nemo

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