US Warships Block Help For Pirates Holding US Captain Hostage

[babylonsister]

US Warships Block Help For Pirates Holding US Captain Hostage

MICHELLE FAUL and TOM MALITI | April 11, 2009 07:01 AM EST | AP


NAIROBI, Kenya — U.S. warships are trying to stop Somali pirates from sending reinforcements to a lifeboat where an American captain is being held hostage as the high-seas standoff off Africa's eastern coast entered a fourth day Saturday.

Underscoring the high stakes involved, France's navy on Friday freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the hostages was killed.

A Nairobi-based diplomat, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to reporters, said the pirates have summoned assistance but at least two American ships and U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft are deterring pirate ships and skiffs from contact with the lifeboat.

The pirates have threatened to kill their American hostage, Capt. Richard Phillips, if the U.S. attacks them, according to a Somali who has been in contact with the pirates.

The Somali said the pirates had called in four commandeered ships with hostages from a variety of nations including the Philippines, Russia and Germany.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/11/us-warships-block-help-fo_n_185830.html

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. they cannot allow more ships to join

the lifeboat... bottom line