DATE=2/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / HIJACK (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-258948
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Hijackers holding some 150 people hostage on
an Afghan airliner at a London airport have released a
45-year-old man while negotiations to end the hostage
crisis continue non-stop. On Monday, the hijackers let
eight hostages go free. At earlier stops, 20 other
people were also freed. V-O-A Correspondent Laurie
Kassman has more from London.
TEXT: The Afghan man who was released from the plane
late Tuesday afternoon had complained of respiratory
problems. He is the ninth passenger to be freed since
the hijacked Afghan airliner arrived at Stansted
airport in the early morning hours on Monday.
Essex police official John Broughton says the freed
hostage is being checked by doctors and debriefed by
police.
/// FIRST BROUGHTON ACT ///
We are now talking to him with a view to getting
as much information to help us to better
conclude this incident safely.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Broughton says negotiations are going ahead in
what he calls a professional and calm manner. But he
gives little details about the talks or the hijackers'
demands.
/// SECOND BROUGHTON ACT///
All I know is that we are talking to people on
board the aircraft. It's a positive
relationship. If we continue to talk to people
then there is a real likelihood we'll achieve
our desired outcome, which is a peaceful
resolution with nobody getting hurt.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Broughton says police are continuing to deliver
fresh food and medical supplies to the aircraft while
the marathon negotiations push forward.
Hijackers commandeered the Ariana Airliner shortly
after taking off from Kabul on Sunday. It arrived at
Stansted airport north of London early Monday after
stops in Uzbekistan, Kazakstan and Moscow. The
hijackers have demanded the release of a prominent
opposition leader detained by the Taleban
administration in Afghanistan - a demand the Taleban
has rejected. (Signed)
NEB/LMK/GE/ENE/gm
08-Feb-2000 13:12 PM EDT (08-Feb-2000 1812 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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