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European hostages released in Mali
The 14 European tourists taken hostage in Algeria six months ago have been released, according to officials in Mali. The freed hostages were brought to the Malian capital Bamako for medical examinations. The Malian government reportedly paid a ranson to the captors. German The tourists, comprising nine Germans, four Swiss and a Dutch person were freed shortly after German Deputy Foreign Minister Juergen Chrobog flew back to Mali to help negotiate their release. A total of 32 tourists were kidnapped between February and March in the Algerian Sahara. One of the tourists died in July. Seventeen others were released last May. I think a lot of people will ask themselves what tourists did in that region anyway. Actually if you are a desert fan Southern Algeria has some of the most beautiful parts of the Sahara (mountains, giant dunes, ancient rock art, great 4WD territory) and unlike the North it was considered to be safe. The Tuareg arenât known to be Islamic fanatics. Well, next time you are going anywhere "safe" in Islamic countries read Rantburg first. Mali has confirmed the release, the German government has not commented officially yet. Posted by: True German Ally 2003-08-17 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=17727 |