Talks aimed at freeing the seized Ukrainian cargo ship carrying tanks and other arms have kicked off as warships from the United States and other navies have barricaded the MV Faina off the coastal region of Somalia. Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the East Africa's Seafarers Assistance Program, said on Wednesday the negotiations started between the ship owners and the pirates in a bid to free the military hardware whose ownership remains unknown. "Telephone contacts have started between the Somali pirates and the ship owners. As things stand, it seems the talks may take long since the ransom demand is too high," Mwangura told Xinhua by telephone.
