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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Nato to target Somalia's pirates | Nato to target Somalia's pirates |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The Nato military alliance says it will send warships to help combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. | The Nato military alliance says it will send warships to help combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. |
| Nato defence ministers meeting in Hungary agreed to despatch a joint task force by the end of the year. | Nato defence ministers meeting in Hungary agreed to despatch a joint task force by the end of the year. |
| The force will also escort UN ships delivering aid to Somalia, where more than 3m people - almost half of the population - are in need of food aid. | The force will also escort UN ships delivering aid to Somalia, where more than 3m people - almost half of the population - are in need of food aid. |
| Pressure for action against the pirates has intensified since a ship carrying 33 tanks was seized last month. | Pressure for action against the pirates has intensified since a ship carrying 33 tanks was seized last month. |
| Warships from several countries are already patrolling the waters because of the rise in piracy attacks. | Warships from several countries are already patrolling the waters because of the rise in piracy attacks. |
| Piracy is a lucrative business with huge ransoms demanded | Piracy is a lucrative business with huge ransoms demanded |
| Meanwhile, a Japanese chemical tanker seized in August in the Gulf of Aden has been freed. | Meanwhile, a Japanese chemical tanker seized in August in the Gulf of Aden has been freed. |
| There are reports that a $1.6m (£931,000) ransom was paid. | There are reports that a $1.6m (£931,000) ransom was paid. |
| The UN this week passed a second resolution authorising the use of force against pirates. | The UN this week passed a second resolution authorising the use of force against pirates. |
| Somalia has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered continual civil strife, with rival armed clans and groups fighting for control. | Somalia has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered continual civil strife, with rival armed clans and groups fighting for control. |
| Force | Force |
| Nato spokesman James Appathurai said the ships would be drawn for a standing maritime group of seven vessels which would be in the region in a couple of weeks. | Nato spokesman James Appathurai said the ships would be drawn for a standing maritime group of seven vessels which would be in the region in a couple of weeks. |
| I suspect when it comes to firepower and capability we can hold our own just fine Nato spokesman James Appathurai Life in Somalia's pirate townSomalia: Special reportSomali piracy costs $30m | I suspect when it comes to firepower and capability we can hold our own just fine Nato spokesman James Appathurai Life in Somalia's pirate townSomalia: Special reportSomali piracy costs $30m |
| "They will be able to use force if and when necessary⦠in full accordance with international law," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. | "They will be able to use force if and when necessary⦠in full accordance with international law," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. |
| He said he did not think the pirates, even though they were well armed and organised, would be a match for the warships. | He said he did not think the pirates, even though they were well armed and organised, would be a match for the warships. |
| "If I was a pirate, I wouldn't necessarily jump at the opportunity to take on a Nato frigate or a group of Nato frigates. | "If I was a pirate, I wouldn't necessarily jump at the opportunity to take on a Nato frigate or a group of Nato frigates. |
| "I suspect when it comes to firepower and capability we can hold our own just fine." | "I suspect when it comes to firepower and capability we can hold our own just fine." |
| Pirates are demanding a $22m (£11m) ransom for the release of the Ukrainian ship, the MV Faina. | Pirates are demanding a $22m (£11m) ransom for the release of the Ukrainian ship, the MV Faina. |
| The vessel, which was carrying T-72 tanks, rifles and heavy weapons when it was seized two weeks ago, is being held off the coast, near the town of Hobyo. | The vessel, which was carrying T-72 tanks, rifles and heavy weapons when it was seized two weeks ago, is being held off the coast, near the town of Hobyo. |
| Piracy off the coast of Somalia is estimated to have cost up to $30m (£17m) in ransoms so far this year, according to a recent report. | Piracy off the coast of Somalia is estimated to have cost up to $30m (£17m) in ransoms so far this year, according to a recent report. |
| Human Rights Watch says Somalia is the most ignored tragedy in the world. |