Taleban Rejects Construction Plan Freed Hostages
On the 19th July 2007, 23 South Korean nationals were taken hostage by the Taleban. In the aftermath of the release of all but two, who were killed while under capture, a new report has now filtered into the public domain suggesting that, during the negotiation processed that secured the hostages’ safe release, the government in Korea pledged to construct a number of hospitals and mosques in locations populated by the Taleban. This has been rejected by officials and militants alike.
In response to the report, a spokesman from the Taleban, Qari Yousaf Ahmadi categorically denied that Korea had been requested to undertake this kind of construction plan. "We never touched on the construction of mosques during the negotiations", he said.
He simultaneously ruled out claims that financial bribery played a part, referring instead to the mutual pledge, in which set conditions of release were the driving force. These took the form of five, clear points, of which the main directive involves Korean troops withdrawing from Afghanistan before 2007’s end.
Mr Ahmadi’s statement was echoed by mediator Haji Zahir, who is based in the province of Ghazni. He also confirmed the absence of any kind of Korean/Taliban construction plan, adding that the idea was never even discussed. He did suggest, however, that Korea may have mentioned constructing hospitals or mosques as a goodwill gesture – aimed at Afghanistan’s civilian population, and outside the hostage negotiations.
From other sources, the construction element was again denied. Indeed, one local correspondent highlighted how it could never have happened anyway – citing how common philosophy in the area favoured the construction of religious structures to be carried out by nationals, rather than through international involvement. He added: "How can our people seek help or financial assistance from a non-Muslim country in building their places of worship when they had returned foodstuff and warm clothes distributed by the coalition troops after flashfloods there last year”.
Source – Construction International’s Middle East Correspondent
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