After they agreed on a payment of $2.85 million
Somali pirates, who hijacked the ship MV Albedo with 22 crew members onboard, have agreed to release it against a payment of $2.85 million, part of expenses incurred by them on the hostages and for the upkeep of the Malaysian-flagged cargo vessel. The deadline for the payment is set as April 20.
“The agreement was reached on Wednesday morning after night-long negotiations. We are not paying any ransom, just part of the expenses. That’s why it took us nearly 18 months to reach a deal,” chief negotiator Ahmed Chinoy, Chairman of Citizens-Police Liaison Committee in Karachi, Pakistan, told Khaleej Times in Dubai after the deal was made.
“The pirates had reached a point of fatigue. They were looking for an exit and the payment of part expenses was the only way,” he said. He said that the pirates claimed total expenses were $4 million but agreed on $2.85 million.
The negotiations were held via video link and satellite phone between Chinoy and Dubai-based Somali businessmen taking part from Dubai and the Somali tribal elders and the leaders of the Somali pirates from Somalia. The Malaysian owner had authorised Chinoy to represent him. The first session lasted for four hours and the talks resumed for another hour after a break.
“The pirates wanted us to pay expenses at the rate of $100 per day per person for the 100 people (22 hostages and some 75 Somalis looking after them and the ship) involved during the captivity period. But we finally made them agree on $50 per day per person. They wanted us to make the payment by March 31, but we finally agreed for the April 20 deadline,” Chinoy said. The pirates will give the terms of the agreement in writing with the Somali tribal elders signing it as witness to ensure that it is implemented, he said. The pirates will also keep the ship ready to sail after the money is paid. The ship is presently located 60 nautical miles off Somali coast. Now we have to raise the funds in a short period. The Malaysian owner is expected to pay one-third of the amount. Still, we need some $2 million,” Chinoy said. He appealed to the UAE government to consider financial support so that the crew can unite with their families.
MV Albedo‘s 22 crew members include seven Pakistanis, seven Sri Lankans, five Bangladeshis, two Indians and one Iranian.
Nareman Jawaid, daughter of the ship’s captain Jawaid Saleem Khan, is a consultant in Dubai. She met Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Pakistan’s Minister of Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri and Chinoy in Dubai on Tuesday. The Governor assured her of full moral support.
“I really hope that people will support the cause of the crew and they will be releases soon. I can’t wait to see my father,” Nareman told Khaleej Times after receiving the news of the deal with the pirates. The vessel was hijacked 293 miles west of the Maldives on the Indian Ocean while heading to Mombasa port from Jebel Ali port in Dubai laden with containers. The vessel had 23 crew members at the time of the attack, but one Indian crew died during captivity.
Source: Khaleej Times Online
