Somali Hijackers Release U.N. Ship

AP ^ | 10/14/5 | TOM MALITI

[SmithL]

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Hijackers Friday released a U.N.-chartered ship carrying food aid and a crew of 10 following successful negotiations with a Somali businessman, officials said.

Gunmen released the MV Miltzow after a Somali contractor, hired by the U.N. World Food Program to handle the food aid, negotiated with them, said Karim Kudrati, managing director of Motaku Shipping Agency, the Kenyan company that owns the ship.

Kudrati said he was not aware any ransom was paid.

[SmithL]

No ransem, just a "finder's fee."

[Nathan Zachary]

Kofee Annan probably gave them all positions in the UN. There are better ways to rob, he told them.