Download
Welcome to the Pirate Action Group. Pirate commander Jamal wishes to congratulate you on being hijacked. Kindly speak to his negotiator about your ransom, bearing in mind that his demands are similar for every vessel he seizes.
This is not an absurd joke - this is how the pirates of the African coast do business, and it's a serious matter for the companies that have to pay up.
In 2011 Somali piracy cost the world economy $7 billion and earned the pirates some $160 million in ransoms, according to a recent report by the International Maritime Bureau.
Piracy is receding of late, but it is still a threat. The IMB reported 69 hijacking incidents by Somali pirates between Jan 1 and July 12, down 32 percent from last year.
Rogues though they may be, these pirates in many cases are surprisingly well-organized, down to having their own packets of paperwork - on letterhead - for their victims.
Reuters obtained a copy of one such packet, presented to the owner of a hijacked oil tanker and the owner's insurer after the ship was taken. Due to the commercial sensitivities, the names of the insurer and ship owner were redacted from the document, as was the size of the ransom request.
But what remains is colorful enough, and somewhat surprising. The cover sheet, in memo format, is addressed "To Whom It May Concern" with the subject line "Congratulations to the Company/Owner."
"Having seen when my Pirate Action Group had controlled over your valuable vessel we are saying to you Company/Owner welcome to Jamal's Pirate Action Group and you have to follow by our law to return back your vessel and crew safely," the memo begins.
The tone of the memo belies the violent reality of the pirate's actions. As of early August armed Somali pirates hold more than 170 hostages, according to the IMB, and were responsible for 35 deaths in 2011 alone.
"Do not imagine that we are making to you intimidation," the memo says, before signing off with "Best regards" and the signature of Jamal Faahiye Culusow, the general commander of the group. Lest there be any doubt about who Jamal is or what he does, his signature is accompanied by his seal- yes, Jamal has a stamped seal - depicting a skull and crossed swords with the name of the group.
Questions:
1. What is the name of the pirate group?
2. What is the name of the Pirate’s leader?
3. How many deaths were Somali pirates responsible for in 2011?
Answers:
1. The Pirate Action Group.
2. Jamal Faahiye Culusow.
3. 35.
About the broadcaster:
CJ Henderson is a foreign expert for China Daily's online culture department. CJ is a graduate of the University of Sydney where she completed a Bachelors degree in Media and Communications, Government and International Relations, and American Studies. CJ has four years of experience working across media platforms, including work for 21st Century Newspapers in Beijing, and a variety of media in Australia and the US.
避开旁门左道玩转英语四六级的江湖攻略
提高英语听力水平捷径
英语六级听力考试方法与策略
我们应该向英语四六级100分学习什么
英语六级考试听力分析
英语六级短文听力备考训练方法
六级考试阅读理解应试对策
四六级猜词技巧补贴
六级考试听力理解的解题要点
告别六级毫无保留的介绍原创过级方法
我的六级英语考试纪实
学习英语怎样才能事半功倍
五妙法打败英语四六级词汇
怎样快速有效提高英语书面表达能力
英语六级考试听力理解应试指导
CET听写的应试技巧
怎样准备四六级
四六级听力考试心得
六级听力高分经验
考生谈英语四六级考试过关经验
听不懂英语广播怎么办
17岁女生英语六级97.5分高分成功秘诀
英语六级考试阅读技巧
我用逆向英语攻克四六级学习体会
英语六级考试完全高效手册
四六级经验谈背英语四级单词的3个小窍门
阅读半壁江山不能丢
社会考生的四六级经验谈
六级考试听力理解解题的要点
听写如何提高写的准确率
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |