przycinek.usa
07.12.09, 05:45
www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B01Z920091201?
"Four months ago, during the monsoon rains, we decided to set up this stock
exchange. We started with 15 'maritime companies' and now we are hosting 72.
Ten of them have so far been successful at hijacking," Mohammed said.
"The shares are open to all and everybody can take part, whether personally at
sea or on land by providing cash, weapons or useful materials ... we've made
piracy a community activity."
(...)
"Piracy-related business has become the main profitable economic activity in
our area and as locals we depend on their output," said Mohamed Adam, the
town's deputy security officer.
"The district gets a percentage of every ransom from ships that have been
released, and that goes on public infrastructure, including our hospital and
our public schools."
(...)
Haradheere's "stock exchange" is open 24 hours a day and serves as a bustling
focal point for the town.
"Ransoms have even increased in recent months from between $2-3 million to $4
million because of the increased number of shareholders and the risks," he said.
"Let the anti-piracy navies continue their search for us. We have no worries
because our motto for the job is 'do or die'."
Piracy investor Sahra Ibrahim, a 22-year-old divorcee, was lined up with
others waiting for her cut of a ransom pay-out after one of the gangs freed a
Spanish tuna fishing vessel.
"I am waiting for my share after I contributed a rocket-propelled grenade
for the operation," she said, adding that she got the weapon from her
ex-husband in alimony.
"I am really happy and lucky. I have made $75,000 in only 38 days since I
joined the 'company'."
