Michelle Malkin » South Korean Christian hostage crisis, Day 21: “The Taliban could not be reached immediately for comment.”

South Korean Christian hostage crisis, Day 21: “The Taliban could not be reached immediately for comment.”

By Michelle Malkin • August 9, 2007 08:10 AM

Still no movement in the case of the 21 South Korean Christian hostages being held captive. I doubt this will get anywhere:

Afghan President Hamid Kazai said on Thursday the abduction of Korean women by Taliban guerrillas had no precedent in Afghan history and would bring shame on the nation.

The Taliban seized 23 Korean Christian volunteers, among them 18 women, from a bus in Ghazni province three weeks ago. The group has killed two male hostages and warned it would kill the remaining captives if Karzai did not free jailed Taliban.

Karzai, who came under harsh criticism for releasing Taliban prisoners for the freedom of an Italian journalist in March, has repeatedly said he would not resort to a prisoner swap again.

“Women from another country are being kidnapped in Afghanistan … This would bring historical shame and defamation for this country and this nation,” Karzai said.

“Women are being kidnapped in this soil today under the name of Taliban, Muslims and Afghans … In Afghanistan’s history, never anyone has kidnapped women,” he added.

Karzai made the comments in Kabul during the opening of a grand meeting between Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan on finding ways to tackle the resurgent Taliban and al Qaeda allies.

The Taliban could not be reached immediately for comment.

South Korean officials look ready to bow to the Taliban’s will:

South Korean officials may soon meet face-to-face with Taliban rebels to negotiate the terms of release for 21 South Koreans held hostage in Afghanistan, officials said Thursday.

Abdullah Jan, a purported Taliban commander, was quoted as saying in an interview with a Pakistani daily that the first face-to-face meeting with South Korean officials could take place as early as Thursday.

Sources say the venue of the meeting is likely to be a Taliban-controlled area, as the insurgent group earlier insisted.

A South Korean official refused to confirm an imminent meeting with Taliban militants, but noted the sides may meet when conditions are right.

“The goal is not to hold a meeting, but to make progress when the sides meet,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The major hurdle, besides finding what officials called a “mutually acceptable venue” for the envisioned meeting, is to narrow the gap between what the kidnappers want and what South Korea can give.

Eugene Cho sums up the situation: “Three weeks = two dead. 21 still in captivity and no progess on the face to face negotiation = lots of pain and confusion.” And via Eugene, one of a series of video pleas from a hostage’s family:

Another video here.

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Posted in: South Korean Christian hostages

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Comments

#1

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:29 am, ajmontana said:

Praying for the safe return of their “precious children”
#2

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:30 am, PBoilermaker said:

Since when has the Taliban shown shame or concern for the impact of their actions on non-Muslims? The pleas from Karzai are lip service to those who oppose this act, but I doubt the captors care about their “precedent”.
#3

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:35 am, jrlingreenbay said:

Thank you, Michelle, for keeping this story going….

Everywhere else – zippo.
#4

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:37 am, zorro said:

I’ll keep praying as well.
#5

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:43 am, ajmontana said:

PB, exactly these captors are Pigs x 10.
jrl, yep. The morons throwing drinks at the drive thru window are getting more attention.
#6

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:54 am, jrlingreenbay said:

I turned it off when I saw that coming up……. what a waste of airtime when things like this go unmentioned.

I hang my head at the quality of our information media.
#7

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:57 am, changjin89 said:

Good Morning Mrs. Malkin. Thank you for being the reliable tender of the vigil candle. Though this is a time of silence, still our brothers and sisters are with us, as we with them.

It seems one may depend on the incumbent administration in Seoul to handle this as they handle the Kim family regime with 23 million Koreans in their thrall: with whatever blandishments or ransom possible. In this case, since they cannot obtain the desired captured criminals from the Karzai government in Kabul, it would seem that money will be the primary object of discussion between Roh Moo-hyun’s negotiators and such Taliban figures as they may meet.

Blessings be upon all who resort to the power of prayer. Thanks to all for not forgetting.
#8

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:57 am, terrig said:

Yes, this hasn’t gotten any airtime lately and that is too bad. Remember that one couple who were held in the Phillipines (I believe). They were there for years and you never heard about them until someone finally stormed that compound and unfortunately the man was killed.
They’re too busy this morning talking about the Obama girl and the Romney girl and blah blah blah girl to worry about real news. Also, disgusted by the “fire in the hole” videos too. I guess people who do this have some really big issues and they’re probably the same ones whose parents do their resumes and then call their bosses when the receive constructive criticism.
#9

On August 9th, 2007 at 9:44 am, VAHighlander said:

I had to do a Google News search for an update two days ago. Coverage of the situation in the MSM had completely disappeared. I was disappointed to find out that it was still going on and that even my blogs, which I rely on to keep me abreast of such matters, had dropped it too. I’m glad you’re still on it.
#10

On August 9th, 2007 at 9:54 am, gippergirl said:

May God help comfort them and their families.
#11

On August 9th, 2007 at 9:55 am, tim zank said:

Not only is the coverage sorely lacking, so are the actions of the Karzai administration. While the statement he made regarding shame and precedent will undoubtedly ring true with the regular Afghan people, it won’t have any effect on the Taliban terrorists. These guys are completely without conscience.

Nothing more than a band of thugs and MS-13 wannabe’s. Allah’s will my a*@!!
#12

On August 9th, 2007 at 10:14 am, Schweggie said:

My gut feeling is that they will be released. I thought they would have even been released by now. Holding hostages with US special forces in the area I thought would be enough to force them to release, or kill, or a combo of both, but not just hold for 3+ weeks. The Taliban apparently don’t sense any threat of a rescue attempt. Too bad.
#13

On August 9th, 2007 at 10:17 am, walterc said:

the first face-to-face meeting with South Korean officials could take place as early as Thursday.

Any chance the Soth Korean Marines will go along for “morale” support?

As soon as the hostages are freed, this Taliban controlled area should be levelled. Every Tent, Shack, or cave levelled.
#14

On August 9th, 2007 at 10:41 am, On-my-soap-box said:

On August 9th, 2007 at 8:43 am, ajmontana said:
PB, exactly these captors are Pigs x 10.
jrl, yep. The morons throwing drinks at the drive thru window are getting more attention.

Yep, I watched that last night on the Malkin-less Factor. I am not even sure if Bill O’ has even mentioned this one time. I do not watch him unless I know MM-80 is going to be on. Even then, I have the mute button ready for the re-runs.

I do pray GOD grants favor and mercy to these precious people.

I sure would like to know how liberals reconcile this with the “radical Christianity is as bad as radical Islam”!

It must have something to do with the lack of ability to turn the other cheek when you are dead.
#15

On August 9th, 2007 at 10:47 am, Bruce said:

Don’t forget… this is BUSH’s fault!
#16

On August 9th, 2007 at 11:04 am, walterc said:

Don’t forget… this is BUSH’s fault!

Of course it is, if we hadn’t gone into Iraq, the Taliban wouldn’t be kidnapping Christians in Afgahnistan.

And I’m pretty sure the drinks at the drive-in stunt is somehow tied to bush and Iraq too.

/sarc
#17

On August 9th, 2007 at 11:05 am, Bhishma said:

So Taliban captures and kills those who come in peace and faith. How can Taliban then belong to what they claim to be ‘Religion of Peace’? Islamic deception is so obvious and transparent. Oh by the way, they also claim to be the brave soldiers of Allah.
#18

On August 9th, 2007 at 11:12 am, BadIdeaGuy said:

I pray for their safe return. This whole thing has been very upsetting because a) nobody seems to care, b) they’re missionaries, and c) the only story that the MSM seemed to want to print was the one blaming the US for not intervening. (along with the false report that a mission was underway)
#19

On August 9th, 2007 at 12:00 pm, dennisw said:

I sure hope Korean missionaries and others have learned to be very wary about preaching in Afghanistan. These Koreans were borderline retarded to go there. None the less my hopes and prayers are with them

So far all we get from the Muhammad worshipers are further lessons in Islam depravity
#20

On August 9th, 2007 at 12:13 pm, jamesgreenidge said:

Feeding The Monster

My prayers and sympathy toward the hostages. The worst part of it is that the Tailban/terrorists know how to milk the meek. God knows how many bucks will be forked over by South Korean publicly — with maybe a regular stipend under the table as insurance against future Korean kidnapping. I’m EXTREMELY perturbed by the near total lack of loud mass protest among the Muslim and Islamic communities worldwide about this, even right here. They know what we’re all up against and the danger. This was a time for moderate Muslims to strut their voices and it’s not even the squeak of a mouse. If they complain that Americans are being oversuspicious or even paranoid about their communities and religion they better check out their responses to what’s going on. And we better damn sure stay vigilant on the home front, PC be damned.

James Greenidge
Queens NY

God save the enlightened Muslim females over there if we pull out.
#21

On August 9th, 2007 at 12:22 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

On August 9th, 2007 at 12:00 pm, dennisw said:

These Koreans were borderline retarded to go there.

Just rude.

Missionaries do nothing more than improve the quality of life of those they touch. You should get to know missionaries in the field before you so harshly make such a statement. I for once would love to see someone who makes such a statement leave the easy chair and visit a third world country and feed some hungry children. You will see people drop the religion and love from pure hearts. I am glad these people went with good intentions. If you want to criticize anyone, call the evil that men do evil and the good that men do good.
#22

On August 11th, 2007 at 12:12 pm, normsrevenge said:

Taliban say two SKorean hostages freed

GHAZNI, Afghanistan (AFP) – The Taliban Saturday freed two women among 21 South Korean hostages held in Afghanistan as a “gesture of goodwill,” a spokesman for the militia told AFP.

“Our leadership council decided to free unconditionally and as a gesture of goodwill two women hostages who are sick,” said spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi.

A second spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahed, confirmed the two women had been released.