DATE=12/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA HIJACK TUES. (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-257565
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Hijackers holding 160-hostages onboard an
Indian Airlines plane in Kandahar, Afghanistan have
dramatically increased their demands. India's Foreign
Minister says the hijackers are asking for the release
of 35 Kashmiri separatist militants and a ransom of
200-million dollars. New Delhi Correspondent Jim
Teeple reports Indian negotiators continue talks with
the hijackers.
TEXT: The new demands came after a day of seemingly
futile talks between the hijackers, Indian
negotiators, and Afghanistan's Taleban authorities.
Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh says the
hijackers want a ransom of 200-million-dollars before
they will release the hostages. He also says they are
asking for the body of a leader of their militant
group who was killed while trying to escape from an
Indian jail in 1994.
In late-night remarks Mr. Singh said - let the
international community and the nation understand the
demands. He says India will send a response to the
hijackers through negotiators in Kandahar.
At a news conference earlier in the day, India's
Foreign Minister said he welcomed a pledge by Taleban
authorities to storm the plane if any of the hostages
are harmed.
// SINGH ACT //
So far as the Taleban warning to the hijackers
against causing any injuries to any of the
hostages -- well we are appreciative of the
stand taken by the Taleban. I am sure you will
appreciate that it will be difficult for me to
discuss either tactics or strategy of ensuring
the safety and welfare of the hostages and the
earliest termination of the hijacking.
// END ACT //
// BEGIN OPT // India's Foreign Minister will say
little about who the hijackers are, but he says they
belong to a Kashmiri militant separatist group Harkut
ul-Ansar, based in Pakistan. Prior to their most
recent demands the hijackers had also been demanding
the release of a Pakistani-born cleric and several
Kashmiri militants.
Mr. Singh says he believes, because the hijackers are
demanding the release of a Pakistani national,
Islamabad might be able to help end the crisis.
// OPT SINGH ACT //
These facts indicate the origin of the
hijackers, and considering the origins I
continue to believe that Pakistan can play a
positive and moderating role under the
circumstances.
// END OPT ACT //
Meanwhile, conditions onboard the plane are reportedly
deteriorating rapidly. Indian engineers who were
allowed to inspect the plane report some of its
systems are heavily damaged, but they have been able
to restore power to the aircraft. (SIGNED)
NEB/JLT/RAE
28-Dec-1999 10:48 AM EDT (28-Dec-1999 1548 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
