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The US-led coalition in Afghanistan would spare no efforts to assist Afghan government and the United Nations in efforts to release the three abducted world body's employees, US military spokesman said Monday.
"I would tell you that we stand ready to assist the United Nations, we stand by the government of Afghanistan for any efforts they ask. We are ready to assist and we continue to assist and support the Ministry of Interior in any operation," Scott Nelson told newsmen here Monday.
The three, including two European ladies and a male Filipino diplomat were snatched in broad daylight 11 days ago from the Afghan capital hugely patrolled by the US-dominated coalition and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
However, Nelson avoided commenting on the modalities of support or operations by saying "it is a sensitive issue. I think for the coalition is better to remain silent for now."
Jaishul-e-Muslimeen or army of Muslims, a splinter group from the Taliban regime and claiming responsibility for the incident has linked the release of the hostages to the release of Taliban operatives from the US detention centers at Bagram and Guantanamo Bay.
The group reportedly in its talks with the Afghan and UN authorities has provided a list of 26 Taliban figures in exchange of the hostages.
Nevertheless, the US army spokesman declined to make any comment on the abductors' demand.
The abductors, who extended the dateline for the third time Saturday, warned to execute the hostages if their demands were not met.
"We have many efforts and many organizations assisting UN and the Ministry of Interior to assure the safe release of the hostages so we are hopeful for their safe release," the spokesman emphasized.
(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2004)
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