National
Diplomatic efforts continue to try to release the Spanish crew of the Playa de Bakio
By h.b.
Apr 22, 2008 - 8:29 AM

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.