typicallyspanish.com

Spain News : National
+ Larger Font | + Smaller Font
Diplomatic efforts continue to try to release the Spanish crew of the Playa de Bakio
By h.b. - Apr 22, 2008 - 8:29 AM
ALSO SEE : • 16 Spanish fishermen rescued in the Atlantic - Aug 3, 2008 - 8:07 AM
• Captain charged in case of Nuevo Pepita Aurora sinking - Jul 20, 2008 - 11:23 AM

Crew of the Playa de Bakio - Photo EFE
enlarge photo

The capitan reports that the crew are all well and the kidnappers only want cash.
According to the El País newspaper today, the Spanish Ministry of Defence is planning a rescue operation as a last option in the case of the Basque tuna fishing boat, ‘Playa de Bakio’ which has been kidnapped by pirates off the coast of Somalia in the demand of a ransom.

The Spanish Government says that all diplomatic contacts are being intensified to try to get the 26 crew, 13 of which are Spaniards, released, and ABC newspaper reports today that help has been requested from NATO.

Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, has held several conversations with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durao Borroso, and has been in contact with the African Union to investigate the situation. The closest Spanish diplomat is the Spanish Ambassador in Kenya.

Meanwhile the most modern Spanish navy frigate, Méndez Núñez, is on her way to the scene and is now some 1,400 miles away and is therefore not expected to arrive for two days.
The Capitan of the 'Playa de Bakio' has reported that all the crew is well, and all the pirates want is cash.


 smartphone/pda/iphone |  email this article |  printer friendly page

 del.icio.us |  digg |  technorati |  yahoo | Stumble It!
Facebook | Reddit | Newsvine | Meneame | Wikio | Blink

ALSO SEE :
• 16 Spanish fishermen rescued in the Atlantic - Aug 3, 2008 - 8:07 AM
• Captain charged in case of Nuevo Pepita Aurora sinking - Jul 20, 2008 - 11:23 AM
• Six crew of Galician fishing boat rescued off the Canaries - Jun 11, 2008 - 7:26 PM
• 20 tons of free fish in fishermen's protest in Madrid - May 30, 2008 - 7:26 AM
• Fish shortages in Málaga as local fishermen stay in port - May 29, 2008 - 8:16 AM
• Fisherman start strike action in Barcelona Port - May 26, 2008 - 8:12 PM
• The crew of the Playa Bakio are now back on Spanish soil - Apr 30, 2008 - 7:36 AM
• Zapatero says the priority in the Playa Bakio kidnapping was the safety of the Spanish crew - Apr 29, 2008 - 7:19 AM
• Released Spanish fishermen on their way home - Apr 28, 2008 - 7:49 AM
• Crew of kidnapped Spanish tuna fishing boat released - Apr 27, 2008 - 9:37 AM
• Kidnapped Spanish fishing boat said to have set sail again in Somalia - Apr 25, 2008 - 8:04 AM