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Taliban threaten to kill French journalists

12 April 2010 19:07 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. The Taliban militia renewed a threat to kill two French journalist hostages unless a prisoner exchange is organised, in a video message sent to western media, APA reports quoting iol.co.za web-page.

The two journalists, held since December 30, read a text in English and French in the video, which was distributed in Kabul late Sunday. The two men appear thin but apparently in good health.

"If those involved in this issue do not show swiftness and urgency, the life of the French will face danger," said a Taliban statement shown at the end of the video.

The Taliban have called on the French government to arrange an exchange of prisoners held by the United States and Afghan authorities in return for the journalists.
The Taliban said in the statement that the group had "submitted a list of its most ordinary detainees to the government of France for release as an exchange for the two Frenchmen and their Afghan colleague.

"But the government of France has not shown any interest, consideration and compassion in the release of their nationals."

The hardline militia said a prisoner exchange would be the only way to secure the release of the French hostages, both journalists for the French public TV station France 3.

"The French government, which gives such a huge sacrifices for the protection of the interests of the Americans and their puppets, why they are not able to bring the Americans and the Karzai administration round to accept the French demand so that the chance of release of the French nationals is not lost."

The US military, which leads the international force battling the Taliban in Afghanistan, runs some detention centres in Afghanistan, including one at Bagram air base near Kabul.

The French journalists were abducted with their Afghan translator, an editorial fixer and a driver on a road in eastern Afghanistan. A first video was released in mid-February.

The French government says it is working to secure the release of two journalists, but has made little public comment on the case.

French officials met with the families of the two journalists and France 3 representatives on Monday to discuss developments, the foreign ministry said.