When I Was Young

SOMALI PIRATES

LONDON — Somali pirates are apparently being aided by intelligence gathered by associates living in Britain.

According to a Spanish radio station, a document produced by a European military intelligence agency claims pirates are targeting specific ships identified by a team of "well-placed advisers" in London. They are in constant satellite telephone contact with pirate commanders on land, who pass details of the layout of the vessel, its crew, route and cargo.

A Spanish radio station, Cadena SER, quoted the document yesterday. "The information provided voluntarily by merchant ships transiting the area to various international agencies has now landed in the pirates' hands," the document said.

Captains of hijacked ships said the pirates knew in great detail the nationalities of the crew, the ship's position, its layout and its destination.

The document, drawn up for the anti-piracy force patrolling off Somalia, reportedly said hijackers are avoiding ships sailing under certain flags, including Britain's. It was unclear why leaks of such sensitive details appear to be coming from there.

The pirate gangs are said to have grown out of vigilante patrols set up by Somalis to force trawlers stealing Somali fish to pay "tax" on their catches.

But the trend has turned into plunder, with ships hijacked purely for the millions in ransoms which are regularly paid.

A Somali minister said such payments, often denied by ship owners, was worsening the situation. "They are just running for ransom, you know ... and giving to these pirates is what made them strong," said Mr Abdul Karis Osman Issa, a minister in the Puntland region of Somalia.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

From TODAY, World – Wednesday, 13-May-2009