Tuvalu seeking Support

Tuvalu’s Transport Minister is seeking the support of other countries in the Pacific to put pressure on the Government of Somalia to release twelve Tuvaluan sailors being held hostage by pirates, Radio New Zealand Intl. reports.

Taukelina Finikaso has told Pacific Maritime Ministers meeting in Niue that the seafarers from Tuvalu had been held prisoners for over a month now. He says the pirates have demanded 15 million US dollars from the owners of the 20,000 tonne container vessel, German owned HANSA STAVANGER. The Pacnews agency reports the Tuvalu men are among 24 foreign hostages, including five Germans, three Russians, two Ukranians and two Filipinos. Mr Finikaso says the ransom is beyond the resources of the Tuvalu Government so it is appealing to the region to exert pressure on the Government of Somalia to negotiate with the pirates for the release of the seamen.

Source: Ecoterra, May 15, 2009

~	Conference, Oct. 16, 2024. The War Against the Past: Fighting for our History

~	SLAV - Robert Lepage's Reaction

~	Author and Tolerance.ca Editor, Victor Teboul, Ph.D., to speak at the Arab World Festival of Montreal

~	Iran : Hey Ayatollah, Leave those kids alone! and Pink Floyd's remake

~	UN-backed group supports Somali Government’s peace overtures to rivals

~	Cargo vessel captured near Seychelles is commandeered to Somalia

~	U.S. and Oman Navy Rescue Indian Dhow from Somali Pirates - One Sailor Dead

~	Canada. 50% of tax filers participate in a private retirement savings plan

~	Somali Pirates capture second merchant vessel in 24h

~	Canada. 41% of adults have a high cholesterol level