Taliban Kabul Rules Out Release of Taliban Prisoners

By Emal Pashtunyar

Special to Korea Times

KABUL _ The lives of the remaining 21 Korean hostages seemed to be in danger as three top Afghan government officials ruled out any deal with the Taliban by the government regarding the release of prisoners Tuesday.

The Taliban are asking for the setting free of eight prisoners in exchange for the release of the Korean hostages, kidnapped on July 19. However, the Afghan government so far has not accepted their demand.

In the first official reaction to the Taliban demand regarding the release of prisoners, President Hamid Karzai's chief spokesman Humayun Hamidzada told a news conference on Tuesday that accepting the Taliban plea would encourage the kidnapping of more foreigners by the militants.

The crowded press conference was also addressed by two other top officials _ Interior Ministry spokesman Zmaray Bashari and Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Zahir Azimi. Both the spokesmen described plans and policies adopted by their respective ministries.

``The release of the Taliban prisoners would create problems for the Afghan government on the national as well as international level,’’ said Hamidzada.

Referring to an incident six months back when Kabul set free five high-profile Taliban prisoners to save the life of Italian journalist Danielle Mastrogiacomo, the spokesman said his government was subject to severe criticism both on the national and international fronts.

Although, Hamidzada did not categorically rule out the swap to save the lives of the kidnapped Koreans, he also did not reveal any government intention regarding freeing them.

At the same time, he said his government was trying its level best to ensure the safe release of the Koreans. Hamidzada said it was using tribal elders, parliamentarians, and clerics to talk to the Taliban and persuade them to free the hostages.

Bashari, when asked about his ministry's stance, also came out with the same response. He said it would act in line with the relevant laws and the Constitution of the country. Bashari’s statement also referred to the point that the government was in no mood to release the Taliban prisoners.

Major General Azimi, talked of a military operation to rescue the hostages, saying forces were ready to launch such a mission, but were waiting for a go-ahead signal from the central government.

However, delays on the release of the prisoners might cost another life among the innocent hostages today. At the same time, any military operation could prove a complete disaster for them and would even a minute chance of their release. A previous delay cost the life of second hostage Monday night.

In a situation where the Taliban have shown their intention that they will not accept anything less than the release of their prisoners, commentators say the only viable option for the Afghan government and the Korean delegation is to accept their demand and release the prisoners.