McClatchy: Report: Pirates were out of ammo, sought to trade captain

[babylonsister]

Report: Pirates were out of ammo, sought to trade captain

By Nancy A. Youssef and Shashank Bengali | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy on Sunday freed an American ship captain who was taken hostage by pirates in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday. Three Somali pirates were reported dead.

The captain, Richard Phillips, of Underhill, Vt., was in good health after he was taken from the 28-foot lifeboat where he was being held. A spokesman for the company that owns Phillips' ship said the captain had spoken to his wife after his release. The Navy later released a photo of Phillips with the commander of the USS Bainbridge, one the American warships that had been shadowing the pirates.

Details of the rescue were sketchy. Initial reports said Navy SEALs raided the lifeboat, but other reports said Navy sharpshooters killed the three pirates when they stepped into the open and that the fourth pirate had abandoned the lifeboat earlier.

President Barack Obama in a statement called Phillips' courage "a model for all Americans" and vowed to "halt the rise of piracy in this region."

"To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes."

There was no immediate word on how U.S. officials intended to deal with the captured pirate. Piracy is a federal crime and it is likely he will face trial in the United States. The Pentagon scheduled a news briefing for 4 p.m. EDT.

A relative of one of the pirates aboard the lifeboat, reached by phone in the Puntland region of Somalia, said the pirates had run out of ammunition and fuel and were getting desperate. He said the pirates had asked the Americans to let them go if they released the captain, but that the Americans would not agree to the conditions.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/65944.html

[MarjorieG]

1. Can the relative be trusted with out of ammo vs nearly out of ammo.

Could the Bainbridge believe out of ammo, with Somalians agitated and desperate. Hope this doesn't end up with blame for shooting. Wasn't the AK47 aimed at Phillips?

(sp)

[babylonsister]

3. I don't know what the truth is, and find it a bit surprising McClatchy

is reporting on 'gossip'.

[DS1]

2. Of course they were

:eyes:

[msongs]

4. Sh** happens to kidnappers and extortionist thugs nt

[BlooInBloo]

5. Sounds like a classic case of "we got em right where we want em"

:rofl:

[Brooklyns_Finest]

6. Here comes the spin

The america last people never seem to fail.