The pirates’ profits are set to reach a record $50 million in 2008, Somali officials say. Shipping firms are usually prepared to pay, because the sums are still low compared with the value of the ships. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said
"Once [the pirates] get to a point where they can board, it becomes very difficult to get them off, because, clearly, now they hold hostages."
Given the value of the cargo in this instance, a military response has not been ruled out, they say.
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