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US destroyer nears Somali pirates US destroyer nears Somali pirates
(about 1 hour later)
A US navy destroyer has made visual contact with a Ukrainian ship which was seized by Somali pirates last week and is now moored off the town of Hobyo.A US navy destroyer has made visual contact with a Ukrainian ship which was seized by Somali pirates last week and is now moored off the town of Hobyo.
There is no indication that the USS Howard intends to approach the MV Faina, which is carrying 33 T-72 battle tanks destined for Kenya's government.There is no indication that the USS Howard intends to approach the MV Faina, which is carrying 33 T-72 battle tanks destined for Kenya's government.
The pirates' ransom demand has fallen from $35m to $5m (£2.7m), a US navy spokesman has said.The pirates' ransom demand has fallen from $35m to $5m (£2.7m), a US navy spokesman has said.
A man on the ship also told the BBC that one of the crew members had died.A man on the ship also told the BBC that one of the crew members had died.
The man, who the pirates said was its captain, was speaking via satellite phone after being given it by one of the pirates.The man, who the pirates said was its captain, was speaking via satellite phone after being given it by one of the pirates.
The man said the dead sailor was a Russian and had died as the result of an illness.The man said the dead sailor was a Russian and had died as the result of an illness.
He also said the other crew members were fine and that he could see three ships about a mile away, including one carrying an US flag.He also said the other crew members were fine and that he could see three ships about a mile away, including one carrying an US flag.
International concernInternational concern
In an earlier interview with the BBC, a spokesman for the US Navy's 5th Fleet, Lt Nathan Christensen, said the USS Howard was within 8km (5 miles) from the Ukrainian vessel, but refused to say whether an intervention was likely.In an earlier interview with the BBC, a spokesman for the US Navy's 5th Fleet, Lt Nathan Christensen, said the USS Howard was within 8km (5 miles) from the Ukrainian vessel, but refused to say whether an intervention was likely.
Battles and looting in MogadishuLife in Somalia's pirate townBattles and looting in MogadishuLife in Somalia's pirate town
"The USS Howard… [is] currently on station, in visual contact and is monitoring the situation there," he said."The USS Howard… [is] currently on station, in visual contact and is monitoring the situation there," he said.
"The motor vessel is anchored off the Somali coast, near the town of Hobyo, along with, actually, a couple of other pirated vessels that are also anchored in that location.""The motor vessel is anchored off the Somali coast, near the town of Hobyo, along with, actually, a couple of other pirated vessels that are also anchored in that location."
Lt Christensen said the USS Howard had been in contact with MV Faina using VHF radio, and that negotiations were continuing between the pirates and its owners.Lt Christensen said the USS Howard had been in contact with MV Faina using VHF radio, and that negotiations were continuing between the pirates and its owners.
"The [ransom] demands are now down to about $5m," he said."The [ransom] demands are now down to about $5m," he said.
On Saturday, a man claiming to be one of the pirates, Januna Ali Jama, said they were prepared to negotiate with the Kenyan government, but that would not release the MV Faina unless a ransom of $35m (£19m) was paid.On Saturday, a man claiming to be one of the pirates, Januna Ali Jama, said they were prepared to negotiate with the Kenyan government, but that would not release the MV Faina unless a ransom of $35m (£19m) was paid.
"We are warning France and others who are thinking of carrying out a rescue that we have the power to reach them wherever they are," he said."We are warning France and others who are thinking of carrying out a rescue that we have the power to reach them wherever they are," he said.
Later, in a tersely-worded statement, a spokesman for the Kenyan government said they had not received any credible demands for a ransom to release the ship.Later, in a tersely-worded statement, a spokesman for the Kenyan government said they had not received any credible demands for a ransom to release the ship.
Lt Christensen said the ship's cargo made it a particularly worrying situation.Lt Christensen said the ship's cargo made it a particularly worrying situation.
"We're concerned that this might end up in the wrong hands, such as terrorists or violence extremists," he said."We're concerned that this might end up in the wrong hands, such as terrorists or violence extremists," he said.
The BBC's Karen Allen, in Nairobi, says the waters off the coast of Somalia are considered some of the world's most dangerous.The BBC's Karen Allen, in Nairobi, says the waters off the coast of Somalia are considered some of the world's most dangerous.
'Big business''Big business'
On Friday, Ukrainian Defence Minister Yury Yekhanurov confirmed that 33 Russian T-72 tanks and "a substantial quantity of ammunition" were aboard the MV Faina.On Friday, Ukrainian Defence Minister Yury Yekhanurov confirmed that 33 Russian T-72 tanks and "a substantial quantity of ammunition" were aboard the MV Faina.
Ukraine's foreign ministry said the ship had a crew of 21 and was sailing towards the Kenyan port of Mombasa.Ukraine's foreign ministry said the ship had a crew of 21 and was sailing towards the Kenyan port of Mombasa.
Authorities in Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland say they are powerless to confront the pirates, who regularly hold ships for ransom at the port of Eyl.Authorities in Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland say they are powerless to confront the pirates, who regularly hold ships for ransom at the port of Eyl.
The MV Faina was carrying a shipment of battle tanks destined for Kenya The USS Howard is one of several vessels in the area
Senior UN officials estimate the ransoms pirates earn from hijacking ships exceed $100m (£54m) a year.Senior UN officials estimate the ransoms pirates earn from hijacking ships exceed $100m (£54m) a year.
Pirate "mother ships" travel far out to sea and launch smaller boats to attack passing vessels, sometimes using rocket-propelled grenades.Pirate "mother ships" travel far out to sea and launch smaller boats to attack passing vessels, sometimes using rocket-propelled grenades.
Last week, France circulated a draft UN resolution urging states to deploy naval vessels and aircraft to combat such piracy.Last week, France circulated a draft UN resolution urging states to deploy naval vessels and aircraft to combat such piracy.
France, which has troops in nearby Djibouti and also participates in a multi-national naval force patrol in the area, has intervened twice to release French sailors kidnapped by pirates.France, which has troops in nearby Djibouti and also participates in a multi-national naval force patrol in the area, has intervened twice to release French sailors kidnapped by pirates.
Commandos freed two people whose boat was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden earlier this month and in April, six arrested pirates were handed over to the French authorities for trial.Commandos freed two people whose boat was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden earlier this month and in April, six arrested pirates were handed over to the French authorities for trial.
Somalia has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered from continual civil strife.Somalia has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered from continual civil strife.