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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| EU force to fight Somali pirates | EU force to fight Somali pirates |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The European Union has agreed to establish an anti-piracy security operation off the coast of Somalia. | The European Union has agreed to establish an anti-piracy security operation off the coast of Somalia. |
| French Defence Minister Herve Morin said at least eight countries have agreed to take part. | French Defence Minister Herve Morin said at least eight countries have agreed to take part. |
| The deal follows the seizure of a ship laden with 33 tanks - a $20m (£11m) ransom is wanted for its release. | The deal follows the seizure of a ship laden with 33 tanks - a $20m (£11m) ransom is wanted for its release. |
| Meanwhile, police in Kenya have arrested a maritime official who said that the battle tanks were destined for southern Sudan, rather than Kenya. | Meanwhile, police in Kenya have arrested a maritime official who said that the battle tanks were destined for southern Sudan, rather than Kenya. |
| Andrew Mwangura - who's the spokesman for the Kenyan chapter of the Seafarers Assistance Programme - is likely to be charged with issuing an inflammatory statement. | Andrew Mwangura - who's the spokesman for the Kenyan chapter of the Seafarers Assistance Programme - is likely to be charged with issuing an inflammatory statement. |
| A police official is reported to have said they want to question him about the allegation that the tanks on board the Ukrainian ship were going to South Sudan - a claim strongly denied by Kenyan and Ukrainian authorities. | A police official is reported to have said they want to question him about the allegation that the tanks on board the Ukrainian ship were going to South Sudan - a claim strongly denied by Kenyan and Ukrainian authorities. |
| But other sources, including a US navy spokesman, said the cargo was bound for the autonomous government of South Sudan, in possible contravention of a peace accord. | But other sources, including a US navy spokesman, said the cargo was bound for the autonomous government of South Sudan, in possible contravention of a peace accord. |
| A British report says that Somali piracy has more than doubled this year, with more than 60 ships attacked so far and between $20m (£11.3m) and $30m (£16.9m) paid in ransom. | A British report says that Somali piracy has more than doubled this year, with more than 60 ships attacked so far and between $20m (£11.3m) and $30m (£16.9m) paid in ransom. |
| November launch | November launch |
| The French announcement was made after a meeting of EU defence ministers at Deauville, in northern France. | The French announcement was made after a meeting of EU defence ministers at Deauville, in northern France. |
| There are continuing attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia IMB's Pottengal Mukundan href="/1/hi/world/africa/7648131.stm">Tanks 'were for Sudan arms race' class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7623329.stm">Life in Somalia's pirate townSomalia: Special reportSomali piracy costs $30m | |
| "There is very broad European willingness," said Mr Morin. "Many countries want to take part." | "There is very broad European willingness," said Mr Morin. "Many countries want to take part." |
| "We have (been) given a mandate to continue the planning for the launch of this operation in the month of November." | "We have (been) given a mandate to continue the planning for the launch of this operation in the month of November." |
| The announcement came as the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported a further three attempts to seize ships overnight. | The announcement came as the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported a further three attempts to seize ships overnight. |
| "There are continuing attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia," said Captain Pottengal Mukundan of the IMB. | "There are continuing attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia," said Captain Pottengal Mukundan of the IMB. |
| "It is a matter of great concern. We need more resources to deal with the problem." | "It is a matter of great concern. We need more resources to deal with the problem." |
| According to the interim Somali government, the pirates holding the Ukrainian ship laden with tanks have begun negotiating with the ship's owners. | According to the interim Somali government, the pirates holding the Ukrainian ship laden with tanks have begun negotiating with the ship's owners. |
| The Faina, which was carrying T-72 tanks, rifles and heavy weapons when it was seized last week, is being held off the coast, near the town of Hobyo. | The Faina, which was carrying T-72 tanks, rifles and heavy weapons when it was seized last week, is being held off the coast, near the town of Hobyo. |
| The ship is surrounded by US warships, which is not allowing the heavy weapons to be taken off the ship. | The ship is surrounded by US warships, which is not allowing the heavy weapons to be taken off the ship. |
| A Russian frigate is approaching the area to join an international blockade, and is reported to have marines and special forces commandoes on board. | A Russian frigate is approaching the area to join an international blockade, and is reported to have marines and special forces commandoes on board. |
| Piracy off the coast of Somalia has cost up to $30m (£17m) in ransoms so far this year, a report has said. | Piracy off the coast of Somalia has cost up to $30m (£17m) in ransoms so far this year, a report has said. |
| The study by UK think-tank Chatham House said the number of hijack bids had more than doubled to 61 in 2008. | The study by UK think-tank Chatham House said the number of hijack bids had more than doubled to 61 in 2008. |
| The report said ransoms received were in the range of $500,000 (£283,000) to $2m (£1.1m) per ship and that the pirates were becoming more aggressive and assertive. | The report said ransoms received were in the range of $500,000 (£283,000) to $2m (£1.1m) per ship and that the pirates were becoming more aggressive and assertive. |