The Hindu : Front Page : Talks yielding positive results: mediator

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Sunday, Aug 01, 2004

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Front Page

Talks yielding positive results: mediator

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA (BAHRAIN), JULY 31 . After detailed discussions, the Iraqi mediator, Sheikh Hisham Al- Dulaimi, and a representative of the Kuwaiti transport company — whose seven employees, including three Indians, have been kidnapped — appeared close to an agreement that would end the 10-day-old hostage crisis.

Both sides earlier in the day differed on the kidnappers' demand that the Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL) should pay compensation for the losses suffered by the people of Fallujah during the recent rounds of fierce fighting with the Americans. The kidnappers had also demanded that the KGL should cease its operations in Iraq. Besides, they had asked Kuwait to free all Iraqi prisoners in its jails.

After several hours of talks with the KGL representative, Mehdi Saleh, Mr. Al-Dulaimi announced this evening that negotiations were yielding positive results, and asked the kidnappers to give more time "so that we can achieve a positive outcome."

Al Arabiya television, later quoting Mr. Al-Dulaimi, said that the kidnappers had extended the deadline for executing a hostage by another 24 hours in order to facilitate talks.

`Some obstacles'

"We are in negotiations and we are trying to overcome some obstacles, particularly those relating to the kidnappers' demands that are of a political nature," AFP quoted the Iraqi negotiator as saying. Mr. Al-Dulaimi pointed out that KGL had "shown a willingness to help 250 victims of genocide in Fallujah." He said that the Kuwaiti firm had also "confirmed that it has no offices in Iraq and that it was ready to cease transporting goods into the country."

Before going in for talks this morning with Mr. Saleh, Mr. Al-Dulaimi said that the fate of the hostages depended on the "company." He said he would pull out of the dialogue "if the Kuwait side does not undertake anything."

The KGL spokesperson, Rana Abu Zaineh, had during the day told The Hindu over telephone that her company differed with the kidnappers over the payment of compensation to the people of Fallujah. "We are ready to accept all reasonable demands, but we are a private company and not a government. Asking us to pay compensation for the situation in Fallujah for which we are not responsible is not reasonable," she said. Ms. Rana also said that the KGL could do very little to have the Iraqi prisoners in Kuwaiti jails released.

Hopes rise

Diplomatic sources expressed optimism and said the talks so far had gone "smoothly." The Indian negotiator, Talmiz Ahmed, flown in from Oman, has arrived in Baghdad along with Zikrur Rahman, who specialises in the Arabic language.

There is an expectation in diplomatic circles that the talks are in their final stages and that it is likely that the hostage crisis might be resolved shortly.

Turkish drivers taken

AP reports from Baghdad:

Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's terrorist group has kidnapped two Turkish truck drivers and threatened to kill them in 48 hours if their company did not stop working in Iraq.

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