Taliban: Koreans May Be Released Soon
By Michelle Vu
Christian Post Reporter
Sat, Aug. 11 2007

A Taliban leader said Saturday that negotiations for the release of 21 South Korean hostages were going well and that the hostages would “definitely” be released even as soon as “today or tomorrow.”

“God willing the government (of Afghanistan) and the government of Korea will accept this,” said Mullah Qari Bashir outside the Afghan Red Cross Office in the Ghazni province, according to The Associated Press. “Definitely these people will be released. God willing our friends (Taliban militants in prison) will be released.”

When asked when the Koreans might be released, Bashir replied, “Hopefully today or tomorrow.”

Taliban representatives and South Korean officials met face-to-face for the first time for a four-hour talk on Friday. The rebels have not changed their demands and are still calling for the release of 21 Taliban prisoners in exchange for the remaining Korean hostages.

“I’m very optimistic. The negotiations are continuing on a positive track,” Bashir said. the rest