Government: “Effective Negotiation Measures Deployed”

After a request by the Afghan Taliban, which seized 23 South Koreans, for direct negotiations with the Korean government, the tribal and religious leaders of Afghanistan continued negotiating with the Taliban for the release of the kidnapped Koreans. But word is spreading that the situation is worsening.

On the same day, five members of the Afghanistan delegation, who are from Ghazni Province where the Koreans were kidnapped, advanced deeply into the Karabagh region where the Koreans are known to be hidden and continued to negotiate with the Taliban, reported the AP.

According to AFP, however Ghazni police chief Alishah Ahmadzai said, “The negotiations are in a tough situation as the Taliban keeps on making inconsistent demands by altering or adding some points.”

“Numerous authorities are deploying a variety of measures and strategies for the release of the hostages,” said Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Zemaira Bashary, but he refused to give details for security reasons.

On July 24, Kyoto News reported that the Taliban demanded 100,000 dollars in exchange for a direct talk on the phone with the kidnapped Koreans, quoting the remarks made by the delegation of the Afghanistan government which is mediating between the Taliban and the South Korean delegation for negotiations.

Concerning this report, a South Korean government authority said, “We have not heard of any such demand.” But he added that the government is “keeping an eye on the reports to confirm the facts.”

“Though we are maintaining continuous contact with the armed group and deploying effective measures to resolve the situation, we can neither be pessimistic nor optimistic at this moment. Contact with the armed group will be maintained even after the deadline set by Taliban,” added the same authority.

Meanwhile the residents of Ghazni held a street demonstration calling for an immediate release of the kidnapped Koreans. Some of them held up placards urging an early release of the Koreans and cried out slogans.

Ghazni vice police chief Mohammad Zaman said, “We want Taliban to set the Koreans free because they are our guests.” A reporter of AP Television News said that he saw 100-150 residents holding the demonstration.

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