Afghan govt in talks with kidnappers

KABUL – Afghan officials held their first meeting with a militant group claiming to hold three foreign UN workers hostage yesterday, a spokesman for the group said.

“Today at noon a two-hour meeting started between our representatives and the government representative regarding the fate of the three UN hostages,” said Sayed Khaled Agha, who claims to speak for Taliban splinter group Jaishul Muslimeen (Army of Muslims). “After the two-hour meeting the government delegation were given a 26-person list of our prisoners that we demand to be released and in return we would release the UN hostages,” he said.The trio, Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland, Shqipe Habibi from Kosovo, and Angelito Nayan, a diplomat from the Philippines, were snatched from their vehicle in busy lunchtime traffic in Kabul on October 28.Agha said further talks would be held in two days’ time.”The delegation asked for two days’ time to verify where our named prisoners are held, in Afghanistan or out of the country.The next round of negotiations will begin in two days,” he said, adding that the meeting took place inside Afghanistan.However, an interior ministry spokesman refused to confirm negotiations had taken place.”Ministry of interior has not been directly contacted by the group and we do do not confirm the direct negotiations,” said Lutfullah Mashal.- Nampa-AFP”After the two-hour meeting the government delegation were given a 26-person list of our prisoners that we demand to be released and in return we would release the UN hostages,” he said.The trio, Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland, Shqipe Habibi from Kosovo, and Angelito Nayan, a diplomat from the Philippines, were snatched from their vehicle in busy lunchtime traffic in Kabul on October 28.Agha said further talks would be held in two days’ time.”The delegation asked for two days’ time to verify where our named prisoners are held, in Afghanistan or out of the country.The next round of negotiations will begin in two days,” he said, adding that the meeting took place inside Afghanistan.However, an interior ministry spokesman refused to confirm negotiations had taken place.”Ministry of interior has not been directly contacted by the group and we do do not confirm the direct negotiations,” said Lutfullah Mashal.- Nampa-AFP