metimes.com . S.Korean hostage crisis

Letters

No external fixes to S.Korean hostage crisis Muhammad Azizur Rahman August 6, 2007 -- Read related article titled: "Afghanistan again rules out prisoner exchange," by Mohammad Yaqob. Read the article's introduction: An Afghan negotiator again ruled out Saturday an exchange of Taliban prisoners to free 21 South Korean hostages, whose families made a new appeal for their release. No solution found yet to the Taliban and Korean hostage situation. I think the South Koreans urging the US to help free the remaining hostages does not help. I also think resorting to a military operation would be a great mistake. If a military operation is undertaken the South Koreans may not find any of their citizens and clashes may spread. South Korea needs to speak to the Taliban authorities and reassure them. The Taliban are demanding the release of some of their fighters who are prisoners. The release of these prisoners lies within Afghan authority, not South Korean. If Afghanistan refuses, what are the South Koreans to do? South Korea should withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. The Koreans went to Afghanistan to convert people to Christianity. It is not a sin; we Muslims travel all around the world inviting people to join Islam. It is right for everyone to explain his religious beliefs, but if anyone pressures another to convert to his beliefs it is a great sin. Some women hostages were ill and I believe that the Taliban should behave honorably toward them. I also request the Korean authorities not to involve the US in this matter.