SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RELEASE BY TALIBAN OF REMAINING KOREAN HOSTAGES,

DEPLORES ONGOING ABDUCTIONS, MURDERS OF CIVILIANS IN AFGHANISTAN

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the release of the 19 remaining Korean hostages who have been held by the Taliban for over six weeks.  He commends the efforts of the Afghan authorities, and of all those who have assisted with the negotiations to obtain their release.  Despite the tragic death of two of the hostages in July, he is happy that those released are now on their way to being safely reunited with their loved ones.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned for the safety and welfare of the other nationals who are being held against their will in Afghanistan.  These include several Afghans and one German.  The Secretary-General deplores the ongoing abductions and senseless murders of innocent civilians in Afghanistan.

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For information media • not an official record