Kidnappers negotiate over fate of three UN hostages

KABUL – Islamic militants holding three foreign UN election workers in Afghanistan were locked in negotiations yesterday with groups trying to secure their release, with less than a day to go before a deadline for the killing of the captives.

The abductors and sources close to the Afghan government told AFP negotiations were continuing, although the status of those talks and the possibility of any breakthrough were unclear. “I can confirm that talks are going on today,” said Sayed Khaleed, a spokesman for the Jaishul-Muslimeen (Army of Muslims) group that abducted the three United Nations employees from their vehicle in Kabul on Thursday.”Any details about the nature of the talks and the number of people involved is ahead of time.But we expect the results soon.”Khaleed hinted that Jaishul-Muslimeen may consider compromising on its demands, which include the departure of all foreign forces and UN employees from Afghanistan and the release by the United States of all Taliban prisoners.”We have our own conditions and the government has their conditions.If they accept our conditions then we will be ready to accept some of their conditions as well,” Khaleed told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.”If talks work then of course there will be hope for the lives of the hostages.”Sources close to the Afghan government said various groups were talking with the abductors in a bid to win the hostages’ release.But those involved in organising the negotiations did not want to give any details or reveal who was involved in the talks, due to the sensitivity of the situation.The three hostages are Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland, Shqipe Habibi from Kosovo and Filipino Angelito Nayan.They were helping to arrange Afghanistan’s first-ever presidential election on October 9.US-backed interim president Hamid Karzai won a landslide victory.- Nampa-AFP”I can confirm that talks are going on today,” said Sayed Khaleed, a spokesman for the Jaishul-Muslimeen (Army of Muslims) group that abducted the three United Nations employees from their vehicle in Kabul on Thursday.”Any details about the nature of the talks and the number of people involved is ahead of time.But we expect the results soon.”Khaleed hinted that Jaishul-Muslimeen may consider compromising on its demands, which include the departure of all foreign forces and UN employees from Afghanistan and the release by the United States of all Taliban prisoners.”We have our own conditions and the government has their conditions.If they accept our conditions then we will be ready to accept some of their conditions as well,” Khaleed told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.”If talks work then of course there will be hope for the lives of the hostages.”Sources close to the Afghan government said various groups were talking with the abductors in a bid to win the hostages’ release.But those involved in organising the negotiations did not want to give any details or reveal who was involved in the talks, due to the sensitivity of the situation.The three hostages are Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland, Shqipe Habibi from Kosovo and Filipino Angelito Nayan.They were helping to arrange Afghanistan’s first-ever presidential election on October 9.US-backed interim president Hamid Karzai won a landslide victory.- Nampa-AFP