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Somali pirates stick to $20 million ransom demand

MOGADISHU, Somalia–A Somali pirate spokesman says his group will not release a hijacked Ukrainian cargo ship loaded with arms for less than $20 million.

MOGADISHU, Somalia–A Somali pirate spokesman says his group will not release a hijacked Ukrainian cargo ship loaded with arms for less than $20 million. Sugule Ali told the Associated Press on Thursday the pirates would "never" reduce the ransom of the Ukrainian freighter loaded with 33 Soviet-designed tanks and other weapons. The MV Faina was seized last Thursday and is now anchored off the coast of central Somalia. The pirates have been negotiating with the ship’s owners. There are 20 crew aboard the ship. Ali warned that any attempt at deception or commando raids on the ship would be met with repercussions. AP ______ Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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