Officials 'optimistic' about safe release of Afghan hostages

Afghan officials are optimistic that three UN hostages, including Northern ireland's Annetta Flanigan, will be freed unharmed, a government spokesman said.

A Taliban splinter group claims it abducted the trio – also including Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan and Kosovan Shqipe Habibi - in the Afghan capital last week and is threatening to kill them unless the United Nations and British troops leave Afghanistan.

Jaish-al Muslimeen, or Army of Muslims, released a videotape on Sunday showing the frightened captives.

However, several Afghan officials say they suspect that warlords or criminal groups were also involved in the kidnap and that the hostages may still be in the Kabul area.

“So far, we’ve not been informed of any contacts with the kidnappers,” said Latfullah Mashal, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry. “But we’re progressing and hopeful that the hostages will be released safely.”

He said the ministry, whose security forces are leading the search, had undertaken unspecified initiatives which were “going well.” He declined to elaborate.

The militants say that they have divided up the hostages to thwart any rescue attempt. They aso say they are ready to discuss their demands, which also include the release of Taliban and al-Qaida prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Ishaq Manzoor, who claims to speak for Jaish-ul Muslimeen, or Army of Muslims, said that it would be “flexible” about its demands if the government or the United Nations also gave ground.

He insisted talks were “ongoing” via an intermediary, and suggested “a few days more” could be allowed beyond a Wednesday deadline if negotiations progress.

“If they don’t accept our demands, we will have no choice – we will kill them,” he said.

UN spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva said he couldn’t comment on any contact because it could jeopardise efforts to free the hostages.

An urgent search operation involving NATO and US troops as well as Afghan security forces has focused on Kabul and the Paghman valley to the west.

The hostage-takers have said only that the trio are still in Afghanistan, but have issued a string of warnings to authorities to back off.

“If the government and coalition forces find one of them, we will kill the other two,” Manzoor said.

The hostages were in Afghanistan to help manage its presidential election.