Militants say talks underway over hostages
Militants threatening to kill three foreign hostages said negotiations with Afghan and UN officials began in southern Afghanistan today.
Authorities have not confirmed any contact with the kidnappers, who are demanding a UN pullout from Afghanistan and the release of Taliban prisoners. Still, the US military said efforts to free the UN workers have reached a “sensitive” stage.
Syed Khaled, a spokesman for Jaish-al Muslimeen, said talks began at a secret location in southern Afghanistan, initially through two go-betweens.
He said the Taliban splinter group’s leader, Akbar Agha, was leading its delegation, but couldn’t name any of his interlocutors.
“The negotiations started one hour ago,” Khaled said. ”If there is a need, there will be face-to-face talks.”
Annetta Flanigan of Armagh, Angelito Nayan of the Philippines, and Shqipe Hebibi of Kosovo were snatched from a marked UN vehicle in Kabul nine days ago.
The abductions were the first kidnappings of foreigners in Kabul since the Taliban was ousted in 2001 and sparked concern that militants were copying the tactics of their Iraqi counterparts.
The militant group released a videotape of the hostages last Sunday to back its claim of responsibility, but has offered no proof since of their condition.
Afghan officials doubt the little-known extremist group could have pulled off the kidnappings without the help of a local militia or criminal gang, raising hopes that their release can be negotiated.
On Friday, the militants extended until Saturday night a deadline after which they would decide whether to kill the hostages. The group is also demanding that British troops leave Afghanistan and that the United States release Muslim inmates from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
President-elect Hamid Karzai and visiting Italian Deputy Prime Minster Gianfranco Fini today condemned the hostage-taking.
