London, Feb 3, (PRINTWORDS NEWS) Rachel and Paul Chandler, the British couple who were kidnapped by Somali pirates more than three months ago have issued a desperate plea for help. In a video that has been released by the Somali pirates, the couple has made an appeal to the government to take steps to secure their immediate release. The latest video to have surfaced has been shot by a French news agency that accompanied a Somalian doctor who went to examine the health conditions of the couple, who are being held separately.
The newly released video shows an extremely frail looking Rachel talking about her plight. She adds “We have not much time left and are being badly treated. Please help us – these people are not treating us well”. The 56 year old British woman also emphasizes that they are being held under very cruel conditions. At the same time, while speaking about their ordeal, Paul said, “We have no money and we can’t pay a ransom. We just need the government to help, anyone who can help us out of here.” Meanwhile, doctor Mohamed Helmi Hangul, who was allowed access to the Chandlers later revealed that the couple are suffering from intense physical and mental trauma.
The elderly couple were captured from the Indian Ocean while they were on their way to Tanzania from Seychelles in the month of October last year. The Somali pirates have made a ransom demand of a whopping $7m and at the same time have threatened to kill the British hostages if their demands are not met. 
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Miliband who described the latest pictures of the captive couple as ‘heart-wrenching’, has reiterated that political and diplomatic initiatives are being undertaken to secure the immediate release of the Chandlers.
Nick Davis, chairman of Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre, an anti-piracy maritime group has emphasized that it should be permitted to initiate a negotiation process as soon as possible as the pirates are losing patience. At the same time, Mr Davis has also insisted that no steps can be taken until the Foreign Office gives the ‘green light, as the captors need to realize that they are in negotiation with an authorized source. However, the Foreign Office has reiterated its stand that it would not pay ransom to the pirates to ensure the release of the British couple. A Downing Street spokesperson has stressed that the government does not intend to make concessions as it believes that negotiation with kidnappers only encourages them to indulge in such unlawful acts in future.
Amidst the government’s reluctance to initiate negotiation with the Somali pirates, the future looks rather bleak for the elderly British couple. Despite the fact that the couple have been held captive for more than three long months, no concrete steps seems to have been taken to ensure their release although the government has emphasized that the situation is being closely observed.
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