Govt pledges safe return of all sailors

(From left) Spouses and relatives of the crew of the hijacked Bangladeshi ship meet Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni at her office in the city yesterday. Mahfuza Khatun, left, wife of Engineer Tariqul Islam, one of the hostages; and Shaila Ahmed, right, wife of Capt Farid Ahmed, another hostage; break into tears at the meeting. Photo: SHAWAKAT JAMIL

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday reiterated that the government has taken all-out measures to ensure safe return of the Bangladeshi sailors aboard ship MV Jahan Moni hijacked by Somali pirates on December 5.
According to the latest information, all the hostages are safe and in good health, and pirates have not assaulted or tortured them, she said while briefing reporters at the foreign ministry after a meeting with the family members of the hostages.
She also outright rejected the allegation that the government delayed taking any steps to rescue the 26 Bangladeshis.
Talking about previous records of ship hijackings, she said Somali pirates took on average 43 days in 2008, 90 days in 2009, and 141 days this year in releasing hostages.
So the statistics suggest that it will take time to rescue them [hostages]. “But we are very positive about their rescue and safe return in shortest possible time,” she noted.
“We must have to have patience as there is a certain process of resolving the crisis,” the minister observed.
Asked about the steps taken by the government for the rescue of the hostages, Dipu Moni said the government has contacted all international organisations, neighbouring countries of Somalia and others concerned, seeking their help in this regard.
About their response, she said, “We are getting support from all quarters in resolving the issue.”
She, however, declined to elaborate the measures taken to rescue the ship and the sailors.
Asked if the hostages might face food and water crises, she said in the past incidents pirates provided hostages with food and water and this time also they would do the same.
About their safety, she said, “Previous records show that Somali pirates never did any harm to hostages.”
On the ransom reportedly demanded by the pirates, the minister said as per the international laws, no government is allowed to give a ransom to anyone. “Nobody demanded any ransom from the government, and we (government) must abide by the international laws.”
However, Dipu Moni said the parties concerned are playing their due roles in doing what is necessary.
“We have to resolve the issue through concerted efforts, and I can assure you [people] that we are very much sincere,” she added.
Earlier, the foreign minister had a close-door meeting with relatives of 26 Bangladeshi hostages on the ship. She assured them of safe return of their near and dear ones shortly.
Talking to reporters, several relatives of the sailors expressed their satisfaction over government initiatives.
The vessel carrying 43,150 tonnes of nickel was on its way to Greece from Indonesia when Somali pirates hijacked it. There are 25 crewmembers and the wife of the ship's chief engineer on board.
It was hijacked from a place in the Arabian Sea, 170 nautical miles from Lakkha Island of India and about 300 nautical miles from the Cochin Port.