MV FAINA Cargo for Yemen? Ecoterra 26th Update on the Piracy Crisis off the Somali Coast

Pending an incredible and unnecessary showdown between the international community and the Somali pirates of MV FAINA off the Somali coast at Hobyo, I republish the 26th update issued by Ecoterra which makes state of the increased negotiation efforts – the last before the showdown. A new, Yemenite, dimension is currently been developed; according to the related narratives, the cargo was to be delivered to Yemen.

Day 26 - 601 h into the FAINA crisis – Update Summary

Ecoterra Intl. – Stay Calm & Solve it Now Direct & Fast!

Ecoterra International – Update & Media Release on the stand-off concerning the Ukrainian weapons-ship hi-jacked by Somali pirates.

26th update 2008-10-20 15:10:43 UTC

New EA Seafarers Assistance Programme Emergency Helpline: +254-738-497979
East African Seafarers Assistance Programme - Media Officer: +254-733-385868

Despite increased negotiation efforts, the stand-off concerning Ukrainian MV FAINA is still not yet solved, but intensive negotiations have continued and both sides are striving to finalize the safe release of crew and vessel. While one tonne of fuel could be provided, specific food and fresh-water supplies for the crew have not yet been allowed on board. However, US-American Navy spokesman Lt. Nathan Christensen said Monday that the crew of the MV FAINA looked healthy. The pirates who seized the ship three weeks ago allowed the mostly Ukrainian crew to line up on the deck Sunday so U.S. sailors on nearby vessels could see and photograph them.

The controversy ridden MV FAINA carrying heavy military hardware for which the Kenyan government has claimed ownership, has sparked off a diplomatic feud between Kenya and the Khartoum government, which claims Kenya is aiding military acquisition for its southern Sudan rival thus threatening the peace deal signed between the north and the south. Well placed sources within Khartoum said an intended visit by the Sudanese energy minister had been postponed indefinitely even as Kenya still reels under high oil prices not restrained by government.

In a bizarre twist, the Yemeni Post newspaper claims today that undisclosed sources had revealed the tanks on MV FAINA actually were destined for Yemen and were part of the military agreement signed between Russia and Yemen. Regional military observer, however, discredited that claim immediately. That Yemen and other regional governances wants to profit from the piracy issue is obvious, while the Yemen Government had to announce that it will postpone the proposed regional summit for fighting piracy, which was planned to be held in Sana'a next week. Participating countries were expected to sign a memorandum of understanding for mutual cooperation between them in fighting piracy.

Minster of Transportation, Khalid Al-Wazir assured that Yemen will establish a centre in Sana'a for monitoring ships in collaboration with 20 countries and International Maritime Organizations. From his part, Al-Wazir, told media outlets that the postponing came in response to the Regional Center for Combating Piracy request, adding that the summit will be held later this year.

Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein said yesterday in a news conference in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, that the foreign forces which include U.S. and Russian warships are welcome to fight rampant piracy in the Horn of Africa coast. ``NATO has full permission to combat pirates in our waters because the transitional federal government demanded to the United Nations to act against pirates,'' the Prime Minister told reporters at a press conference in Mogadishu, thereby somehow contradicting earlier statements made by the Speaker of Parliament Prof. Dalha, who said that the Somali parliament had not made any such decision, which would give foreign vessels the right to do what they want in Somali waters.

"There are indications that even the US-American military is not sure about which part of its command structure will take the lead in fighting the piracy in Somalia. For the time being it will be CENTCOM (US Central Command) and not AFRICOM that will be leading the effort, Scott A Morgan writes on Confused Eagle. Currently naval elements from the Fifth Fleet are part of the international armada that is attempting to eradicate piracy at the south end of the red sea". Resistance to AFRICOM among African governments has been so strong that the US-American commander-in-chief abandoned initial ambitions to install a headquarters on the continent. Despite protests from German communities and the German anti-war-movement AFRICOM is now based in Stuttgart / Germany instead, with about two dozen AFRICOM liaison officers posted at embassies.

"US-American naval forces contribute significantly to the pollution of the oceans with their cruisers and destroyers have fired about 12,500 rounds of 5-inch ammunition so far this year, according to Troy Westphal, Naval Surface Force’s ordnance officer, and frigates have fired about 2,400 3-inch rounds. Those numbers should increase by at least 20 percent next year, Westphal said in a SurFor announcement. The cost for the additional rounds was unavailable and thinkers in the US Armed Foreces, who promote more virtual, computer-based training instead of wasting money and polluting the environment with live rounds seem not to be heard over the thunder of real-trigger-happy troops.

Other news ----

The National Union of Seafarers (NUSI) and the Maritime Union of India (MUI) have decided to boycott a meeting with the secretary, ministry of shipping APVN Sarma to be held today in protest against the inaction in the case of hijacked ship MT STOLT VALOR. "While it appears that the Indian Navy will patrol the Gulf of Aden, the key issue of MT STOLT VALOR seafarers has still not been addressed,'' said Abdulgani Y Serang, general secretary of NUSI. The unions warned that if the situation was not resolved by tomorrow then: "Indian seafarers will refrain from trading in the pirate-infested areas of Somalia. Indian seafarers will start a worldwide agitation for their own safety and for the release of the seafarers on board the ship STOLT VALOR".

In a more positive development and due to humanitarian efforts food and freshwater supplies were let on board of MT STOLT VALOR over the weekend. Responding to the pleas from families of the crew on board MT STOLT VALOR, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has assured the relatives of the sailors that the Indian Government has now talked to the Japanese owners directly in order to speed up the release of their loved ones. Seema Goyal, wife of Captain Prabhat Goyal, captain of the hijacked ship said that she has got an assurance from Pranab Mukherjee, that the crew onboard MT STOLT VALOR will be rescued. Seema along with families of other crew members met Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on Saturday (October 18) night.

Unconfirmed reports from Somalia indicate that an Indian transport Dhow might have come under siege along the Indian Ocean shores of Somalia, but further details have not yet come through.

Meanwhile the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program expressed outrage that their chairman Andrew Mwangura is persistently misquoted by certain media and appointed a media officer. Mr. Mwangura thereby will have also more time to concentrate on the direct assistance to numerous hostage and piracy cases still pending resolution along the coast of Somalia. SAP's Media Officer can be reached on: +254-733-385868

Two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) ships, KD Lekiu and KD Inderapura, with over 500 sailors returned to base after Operation "Fajar" to oversee and safeguard the release of two Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) ships seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. "Shipping companies must invest in security aspects and not depend fully on the RMN to protect their ships each time they are threatened by pirates," Fleet Operations Commander of the Lumut RMN Base, Vice Admiral Datuk Ahmad Kamarulzaman, who also was Ops Fajar task force commander, said today. Another RMN ship, the KD Mahawangsa, is still in the Gulf of Aden to monitor the situation.

Note
Picture: MV FAINA