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Somali pirates cut ransoms to clear hijacked ships
Reuters ^ | Mar 13, 2011 | Mohamed Ahmed and Abdi sheikh

Posted on 03/13/2011 3:11:29 PM PDT by george76

Somali pirates said on Sunday they would lower some of their ransom demands to get a faster turnover of ships they hijack in the Indian Ocean.

Armed pirate gangs, who have made millions of dollars capturing ships as far south as the Seychelles and eastwards towards India, said they were holding too many vessels and needed a quicker handover to generate more income.

“I believe there is no excuse for taking high ransoms. At least each of our groups holds ships now,” pirate Hussein told Reuters from Hobyo on the Somalian coast. He said the pirates were holding more than 30 ships at the moment.

“We have lowered the ransom only for the ships we have used to hijack other ships. We sometimes release these ships free of charge for they generate more (money). But we shall not lower the ransom for the bulk ships we are sure can bring bulk money.”

Using captured merchant vessels as launch pads for new hijackings, the pirates have grown bolder despite a loosely coordinated global response, and insurance premiums for shipping lines have rocketed.

...

since late February, the pirates have had to share their spoils with the Al Shabaab Islamist rebels, who profess loyalty to Al Qaeda.

(Excerpt) Read more at thestar.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; alshabaab; islamistrebels; napl; pirates; somali; somalipirates
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To: rhubarbk

European nations used to look to the USA for leadership. There are countless examples of foreign governments in Europe paying off kidnappers in Iraq and elsewhere.

Hell, European “leaders” have been paying off the Somali pirates going back to the beginning of this country (which decided it best to establish a Navy to protect OUR citizens and shipments).


21 posted on 03/13/2011 3:33:59 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (The biggest waste of brainpower is to want to change something that's not changeable. -Albert Brooks)
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To: george76

Hi. I'm crazy Achmed and have I got a craaaaazy hostage deal for you!

We have a buy one get one free this week! This week only take advantage of our craaaaaazy hostage clearance deals!

22 posted on 03/13/2011 3:35:30 PM PDT by dennisw ( The early bird catches the worm)
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To: Cementjungle

Why isn’t Obambi-Golden-Child demanding that the wealthy millionaire pirates spread their wealth around amongst the poor people of Somalia?


23 posted on 03/13/2011 3:35:45 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (The biggest waste of brainpower is to want to change something that's not changeable. -Albert Brooks)
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To: FlingWingFlyer
Actually they need to hire an MBA
“We have lowered the ransom only for the ships we have used to hijack other ships. We sometimes release these ships free of charge for they generate more (money). But we shall not lower the ransom for the bulk ships we are sure can bring bulk money.”
You keep the ships that are generating turnover. The bulk ships that you think you "might" sell in the future are inventory which are NOT generating income.
24 posted on 03/13/2011 3:37:38 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy (I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it -Voltaire)
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To: ColdOne

“A pirate spokesman, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted Somalilandpress today said at least ten of his men were executed by the Russian navy...”

........a “pirate spokesman”, lolol

http://somalilandpress.com/somalia-russia-executed-all-somali-pirates-spokesman-15559


25 posted on 03/13/2011 3:37:38 PM PDT by profit_guy
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To: george76
Barbara: So, when do I get out of here?
Sandy: As soon as Mr. Stone pays the ransom.
Barbara: What's the problem? What is the ransom?
Sandy: Well, we asked for $500,000.
Barbara: That should be no problem.
Sandy: He wouldn't pay.
Barbara: He wouldn't pay?
Sandy: Then we asked him for $50,000.
Barbara: Yeah?
Sandy: He still wouldn't pay. So now we're lowering our price to $10,000.
Barbara: Do I understand this correctly? I'm being marked down? [Starts crying]
Barbara: I've been kidnapped by K-Mart!

Bette Midler and Helen Slater in Ruthless People

26 posted on 03/13/2011 3:38:14 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: george76

Buy one hostage, get one free!


27 posted on 03/13/2011 3:46:18 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Look for the union label and just say, NO!)
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To: ColdOne

Obama and the ACLU have suggested to the UN that the pirates should be allowed to partake in collective bargaining.


28 posted on 03/13/2011 3:52:06 PM PDT by profit_guy
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To: Revolting cat!

Soon on EBAY:

Somali special!
Buy a boat — cheap; get a hostage to swab yer decks, Matie!
Hurry. Selections are going fast.


29 posted on 03/13/2011 3:53:31 PM PDT by TomGuy
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To: ColdOne
"I've been kidnapped by K-Mart"

Ruthless People (1986)

30 posted on 03/13/2011 4:06:11 PM PDT by Dacus943
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To: ColdOne

we’re CRA_A_A_A_A_ZYyyyy


31 posted on 03/13/2011 4:13:48 PM PDT by Mr. K (Job #1 DEFUND THE LEFT then Palin/Bachman 2012 -Unbeatable Ticket~!)
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To: profit_guy

“at least ten of his men were executed by the Russian navy”

At least someone’s navy “gets it.”


32 posted on 03/13/2011 4:15:17 PM PDT by piytar (Godwin's rule is null and void. If you don't know what I mean, you aren't paying attention...)
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To: george76

They’re just training for their post-asylum future as used car salesmen in Florida.


33 posted on 03/13/2011 4:17:25 PM PDT by Moltke (Always retaliate first.)
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To: george76

They are Black and get the universal pass!


34 posted on 03/13/2011 4:27:48 PM PDT by Cheetahcat ( November 4 2008 ,A date which will live in Infamy.)
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To: george76

Goldman Sachs is probably negotiating with the pirates to offer “ransom anticipation” bonds.


35 posted on 03/13/2011 4:30:29 PM PDT by Presbyterian Reporter
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To: george76

36 posted on 03/13/2011 4:32:36 PM PDT by Dr. Sheldon Cooper (I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!)
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To: a fool in paradise; MeekOneGOP; Conspiracy Guy; DocRock; King Prout; Darksheare; OSHA; ...
We should subcontract pirate control to the Israelis - THEY know how to enforce a blockade.


37 posted on 03/13/2011 4:41:41 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have Ingsoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

Gee. Who would have that pirates would engage in cut throat pricing?


38 posted on 03/13/2011 4:46:58 PM PDT by Enterprise (TSA - The Silly Agency)
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To: Enterprise

Should read - Who would have thought


39 posted on 03/13/2011 4:48:03 PM PDT by Enterprise (TSA - The Silly Agency)
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To: americanophile
Right, so that just leaves the federal government that doesn’t understand market forces.

Indeed, isn't it a sad day when a bunch of Somali pirates have more business sense than Obumbler's junta...
40 posted on 03/13/2011 4:51:48 PM PDT by battousai (Conservatives are racist? YES, I hate stupid white liberals.)
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