Somali Pirates Reduce Ransom Demand for Asian FishermenBy Mohamed Olad Hassan Associated Press Writer Published: Sep 6, 2005 MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Somali pirates holding 48 Asian fishermen and their three vessels hostage have sharply reduced their ransom demand during government-brokered negotiations, a Somali human rights activist said Tuesday. The gunmen originally demanded $500,000 for each boat and its crew, but later cut the demand to $50,000 apiece during talks with the Malaysian agent for the Taiwanese trawlers, said Ali Bashi, chairman of the Fanole Human Rights Center. The hostages, who have been held by the pirates near the southern...
