British FM: UK won't pay ransom to Somali pirates

[November 20, 2008]  LONDON (AP) -- Foreign Secretary David Miliband says Britain won't pay a ransom for two Britons being held by pirates off the east African coast.

Miliband said Thursday that paying for the release of hostages risks encouraging more piracy.

He says a European force should deploy to the Gulf of Aden to support a NATO armada currently patrolling off the coast of Somalia. EU officials are expected to discuss plans to send ships from about 10 countries to root out pirates.

Oil supertanker MV Sirius Star was seized last weekend off Kenya carrying 2 million barrels of oil and 25 crew members. It's cargo is worth $100 million.

Miliband's office says Britons Peter French and James Grady are among the oil tanker's crew.

[Associated Press]

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