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Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2004

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International - India & World

Hostage crisis: talks gather new momentum

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, AUG. 23. Talks between the Kuwaiti transport company, whose seven employees have been kidnapped, and a new Iraqi mediator have gathered momentum, raising hopes that the crisis many not prolong indefinitely.

"We had very good talks with our Iraqi friends about the hostage issue today and we are very much pleased about its outcome," Rana Abu Zaineh, the spokesperson of the Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL) told The Hindu over telephone. She, however, cautioned that it would be inappropriate to make a definite prediction about the outcome of the talks, as hopes raised about the release of the hostages in the past had been belied.

Kept anonymous

Diplomatic sources confirmed that talks with the new negotiator had acquired prominence since Sunday and were "moving in the right direction." The sources also confirmed that the former Iraqi negotiator, Sheikh Hisham al-Dulaimi, was not leading talks with the KGL. "It would be incorrect to name the new negotiator as the Iraqi mediator had requested that his name be kept anonymous." The hostages were safe and new evidence had been provided to show that they were in good health.

Network in action

In Iraq, Indian officials, Talmiz Ahmed along with India's ambassador to Iraq, Brij Bhushan Tyagi, have engaged a network of religious leaders in Baghdad and Fallujah who have an influence over the Islamic Secret Army, whose Black Banners Brigade have kidnapped the seven KGL employees.

During their talks, the Indian officials have emphasised India's traditional goodwill towards the Iraqi people and New Delhi's decision not to send troops to fight along with the invading American troops, despite enormous pressure from Washington.

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