 Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Jakob Tobing, left, leads family members of Koreans taken hostage in Afghanistan into the embassy in Seoul, Tuesday. The families asked for Indonesia's help in getting the safe release of the 19 hostages. / Korea Times Photo By Kim Joo-sung |
Special to Korea Times
KABUL _ Taliban militants announced the suspension of face-to-face talks with a Korean delegation less than 24 hours after the release of two women hostages, who were previously reported as seriously ill by the captors.
The suspension of the talks was confirmed by the Ghazni Province Governor Merajuddin Patan as well as officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who are facilitating the direct links between the two sides.
The governor's spokesman Aziz Mangal said he hoped the dialogue would be resumed soon. He admitted it was suspended for the time being, but ``will be resumed sooner rather than later.''
An ICRC official, requesting anonymity, confirmed the postponement, but said it was not due to any serious differences. He was quick to explain it was ``because of necessary engagements for the two sides.''
The official added that the Taliban will not harm any of the captives before the resumption of a second round of negotiations. The first direct contact between the two sides was made on Aug. 10 and continued until Tuesday afternoon.
The release of the two female hostages on Monday was achieved as a result of four days of negotiations.
Speaking to The Korea Times over the telephone from an undisclosed location, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said the process had been halted for the time being on the mutual understanding of both sides.
At the same time, Ahmadi reiterated his group's demand for the release of their prisoners. ``We will kill the rest (hostages) if our prisoners are not freed by the Afghan government.'' In the same breath, he added the sides would return to the negotiation table at the proper time.
Asked why negotiations had been stopped at such a crucial juncture, the spokesman said both sides have to consult with their superiors before recommencing talks.
Earlier, a source privy to the dialogue told this reporter that the main issue was the size of a ransom for the hostages.
The Taliban are demanding $0.5 million for each hostage, but the Korean side has offered the same amount for the safe release of all the remaining 19 captives.
The source had said that the only impediment to the two sides reaching an agreement is the ransom amount and they will struggle to reach a consensus in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, officials at the Korean Embassy said the health of the two freed women was good. Their check-up was carried out at a U.S. base and their condition was found satisfactory, an embassy official was reported as saying.
The officials said the two are being kept in a safe place. It is believed that they are waiting for a flight at the heavily-guarded U.S. Air Base at Bagram, some 35 kilometers north of Kabul.
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