Pirates Hijack French Yacht Off Africa's Eastern Coast
- added April 6, 2008
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An aerial photo from France's military shows gunmen aboard the yacht Le Ponant Friday. Pirates seized the vessel off Somalia's coast, taking 30 crew members hostage. A French warship was tracking the yacht, but Prime Minister Francois Fillon said he hoped to avoid using force.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (April 6) - France has made contact with pirates who hijacked a French luxury yacht off Africa's eastern coast with 30 French and Ukrainian crew members on board, the French foreign minister said Sunday.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told France-Inter radio that France was in contact with the pirates.
"We have established contact, and the case may take a long time," he said, without providing more details. Asked whether France would consider paying a ransom, he responded, "We'll see."
"We have to do everything to avoid bloodshed," Kouchner said.
*The U.S. Navy has led international patrols to try to combat piracy in the region. But an increase in naval patrols has coincided with a rash of kidnappings of foreigners on land.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Does the threat of Pirate Hijackings affect your summer yachting plans?
MOGADISHU, Somalia (April 6) - France has made contact with pirates who hijacked a French luxury yacht off Africa's eastern coast with 30 French and Ukrainian crew members on board, the French foreign minister said Sunday.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told France-Inter radio that France was in contact with the pirates.
"We have established contact, and the case may take a long time," he said, without providing more details. Asked whether France would consider paying a ransom, he responded, "We'll see."
"We have to do everything to avoid bloodshed," Kouchner said.
*The U.S. Navy has led international patrols to try to combat piracy in the region. But an increase in naval patrols has coincided with a rash of kidnappings of foreigners on land.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Does the threat of Pirate Hijackings affect your summer yachting plans?
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