According to WikiLeaks, the release of the Italian flagged tug BUCCANEER may have been the result of what amounts to the biggest ransom payment so far, consisting of a cash pledge to the Somali Transitional Federal Government worth US$18.5 million.At the time there were accusations that the barges were carrying toxic waste, but this was denied by the ship operators. Although flagged in Italy, Buccaneer is American owned.Wikileaks alleges that the tug was released amidst a series of claims and counterclaims concerning the ransom, whether it was paid and if so how much. The Somali pirates said they were paid $5.7 million (€4m), which was vehemently denied by the Italian government.Wilileaks says that pressure was brought on the pirates by the Transitional Federal Government at about the same time that the Italian government pledged to donate $18.5m (€13m) to Somali ‘institutions and the peace process’. Additional money was paid by the Italian Development Corp, which Wikileaks suggests is also linked to the release of the tug. Buccaneer was captured by Somali pirates in April 2009 while towing two ocean-going barges through the Gulf of Aden. The tug and tow were taken to an anchorage off the coast of Somalia.
SHIPPING NEWS
07 August 2011 - 21:27
Wikileaks unveils biggest ransom payment so far.
According to WikiLeaks, the release of the Italian flagged tug BUCCANEER may have been the result of what amounts to the biggest ransom payment so far.
SHIPPING NEWS
07 August 2011 - 21:27
According to WikiLeaks, the release of the Italian flagged tug BUCCANEER may have been the result of what amounts to the biggest ransom payment so far, consisting of a cash pledge to the Somali Transitional Federal Government worth US$18.5 million.At the time there were accusations that the barges were carrying toxic waste, but this was denied by the ship operators. Although flagged in Italy, Buccaneer is American owned.Wikileaks alleges that the tug was released amidst a series of claims and counterclaims concerning the ransom, whether it was paid and if so how much. The Somali pirates said they were paid $5.7 million (€4m), which was vehemently denied by the Italian government.Wilileaks says that pressure was brought on the pirates by the Transitional Federal Government at about the same time that the Italian government pledged to donate $18.5m (€13m) to Somali ‘institutions and the peace process’. Additional money was paid by the Italian Development Corp, which Wikileaks suggests is also linked to the release of the tug. Buccaneer was captured by Somali pirates in April 2009 while towing two ocean-going barges through the Gulf of Aden. The tug and tow were taken to an anchorage off the coast of Somalia.
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