Another Korean Hostage Deadline

The Taliban have set yet another deadline before they murder 22 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan. From the Taliban's website:

The deputy interior minister asked us to give them extra time until tomorrow [3:30 EDT] to be able to handle the issue. The Taliban leading council decided to give them time until tomorrow (Friday) noon [local time].

We want again from Korean government, public and parliament to pressurize Afghan government to do something about Korean fate.

Isn't that the central dilemma any time hostages are taken? Giving in to the kidnappers' demands saves the lives of these hostages, but only means that more hostages will be taken, and possibly more lives lost.

See Dub posted this prayer. I think it's appropriate, slightly modified:

ALMIGHTY God, the supreme Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to those who truly repent; Save and deliver [them], we humbly beseech thee, from the hands of our enemies; that [they], being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, who art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Amen.

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What Not to Say When Your Countrymen Are Being Murdered

Asshole defined:

“Of course it shows you quite well how intimate with imperialism the Korean church is, in that it goes to “serve” on a battlefield in a way that speaks the same religious language as the invading nation."

Blaming the victim. That's real classy.

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Martyr

Christian martyrs die for their religion. Contrast that to the shahids (martyrs) who nearly always kill for their religion.

The Taliban released these two statements today on their website: more...

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Taliban Kill MURDER One South Korean Hostage

Breaking news via Fox:

Report: Taliban Kill One South Korean Hostage

KABUL, Afghanistan — A purported Taliban spokesman said Wednesday that one of the 23 South Korean hostages being held in Afghanistan had been killed, according to the Reuters news agency.

Earlier, Aari Yousef Ahmadi, who claims to speak for the militants, said the Afghan government hadn't responded to any of its demands and that the militants would kill "a few" of the hostages.

UPDATE: Via Fox:

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A police official said Wednesday that Taliban militants told him they shot and killed one of 23 South Korean hostages, while two Western officials said some others from the group of captives were freed and taken to a U.S. military base.

Purported Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said one of the hostages had been shot and killed around 4 p.m. (7:30 a.m. EDT), and a police official who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation said militants told him the hostage was sick and couldn't walk, and therefore was shot.

Some of the Koreans, meanwhile, were freed and were taken to a U.S. base in Ghazni, according to two Western officials who asked not to be identified because they weren't authorized to speak publicly. The officials did not know how many had been freed.

UPDATE II: Body of South Korean Hostage Recovered, Taliban Reportedly Release Others

Authorities recovered the bullet-riddled body of a South Korean hostage in central Afghanistan on Wednesday, a police officer who discovered the body said.

The male victim had 10 bullet holes in his head, chest and stomach, and was discovered in the Mushaki area of Qarabagh district in Ghazni province, said police officer Abdul Rahman.

UPDATE by Rusty: I hope Vicki doesn't mind me changing the headline. I think MURDER is a more accurate and appropriate word. It boggles the mind why the news media won't use it.....

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Vigil: Another South Korean Hostage Murder Deadline Passes

As of this writing, the third deadline set by the Taliban for the murder of 23 South Korean Christian doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals being held hostage has expired.

We pray for their immediate release.

This should be the front page story on every newspaper, on every news channel, and the lead on every blog in the nation. The Taliban are very aware of their self image and public pressure does have an affect. Just last week the Taliban and their al Qaeda allies released a propaganda video showing an attack they "called off because there were civilians in the area"-- a clear response to their normal brutality that isn't winning them much sympathy in the world.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman and my personal "pen pal" Qari Mohammad Yousif "Ahmadi" claims today that the negotiations for their release are "going well". Hopefully, this means that they will be released unharmed. Unfortunately, it may mean that ransom will be paid or that Taliban prisoners will be released--which will inevitably lead to more kidnappings.

But the best news from Ahmadi?

We hope it will be finished before 7 p.m. If not, we might give them more time."

Let's also not forget that the Taliban are also holding a German hostage and an unknown number of Afghans.

We're grateful that Michelle Malkin has taken up the cause, and she notes the underground Christian movement in Afghanistan. Interestingly enough, just yesterday I listened to an interview by Matt Sanchez of a Christian convert in Afghanistan named "Hazrat".

UPDATE: Now they want money? I've been hearing reports of this on and off, it's difficult to say with any certainty what exactly the Taliban want. But it is always safe to say, that whatever other demands are made in public, that privately they will also ask for money.

Michelle also now has a picture up of local Afghans from a village near where the Koreans were taken hostage protesting the Taliban's actions.

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Korean Reactions to Hostage Crisis

The Marmot's Hole is following the Korean hostage crisis closely, with updates, including a call from the Korean "White House" for bloggers to stop condemning the hostages for going to Afghanistan.

I've heard similar sentiments here, in the comments section, that the South Koreans were "stupid" for going into Afghanistan. Maybe, but no more "stupid" than St. Paul going to Jerusalem.

The hostages and their families in Korea remain in our prayers.

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S. Korean Hostages Will Die Soon, Taliban Says

Despite an extended deadline, negotiations for the 23 S. Korean missionaries kidnapped last week in Afghanistan are "not going well":

The Islamic militant group set an extended deadline of 12.30am today for their demands to be met, including the release of 23 Taliban prisoners and the withdrawal of South Korean troops from Afghanistan.

The hostages are mostly teachers and health care workers.

"The talks are continuing, but it seems they are not going well," Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said, challenging more upbeat reports from the Afghan Government side.

"If they continue in this way, I think the hostages will be killed."

Ahmadi blamed the problems on a delegation representing the Afghan Government not having the authority to free the Taliban prisoners.

Continued prayers for the safety of the hostages and for their swift release. more...

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Time is Up: Taliban to Murder Korean Christian Hostages (UPDATE: Deadline Extended)

The deadline set by Taliban spokesman Qari "Ahmedi" Mohammad Yousuf for the murder of 23 Korean civilian hostages has passed. According to a posting at the official website of the Taliban, the deadline was extended to 7:00 p.m. local time today. As of this writing, it is 8:35 p.m. in Afghanistan/Pakistan.

Pray.

UPDATE: Another 24 hours?

A purported Taliban spokesman said that negotiations for the lives of 23 South Korean hostages had stalled and that militants would kill the aid workers Tuesday evening if the government doesn't free Taliban prisoners.

Another purported Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousuf said talks with the Afghan government were going nowhere. The deadline was extended to 14:30 GMT Tuesday, he said, quoted by Reuters.

I've personally e-mailed Qari Mohammed Yousuf asking for the release of the Korean hostages. Not that I think that my e-mail will have any effect on him. We're not exactly 'friends'.

But I'd like to remind the Taliban media spinmeisters that if these hostages are killed, in the eyes of the world it will be cold-blooded murder. The world is watching you.......

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Korean Hostages Get A Break, Taliban Spokesman Signs Own Death Warrant

The good news:

KABUL, Afghanistan - A purported Taliban spokesman said Sunday that the hard-line militia had extended by 24 hours the deadline for the Afghan government to trade captured militants for 23 South Korean hostages.

The better news:

He said the delegation made progress in their talks, but the Afghan military said Afghan and U.S. troops had "surrounded" the region in case the government decides the military should move in.

I don't understand the scare quotes around the word "surrounded" but, here's the best news:

"The Korean government should put pressure on the Afghan government to give a positive response to the Taliban's demands," Ahmadi told The Associated Press by satellite phone.

Keep up the good sloppy work, dumbasses.

Excrement question: Anyone have any ideas why they'd be so bold to use a traceable satellite phone and talk to the AP rather than the usual posting on jihadi websites and using personal couriers to Al Jazeera?

UPDATE by Rusty: The worst news--the 24 hour deadline extension expires today. Pray.

On the Taliban's old website, they listed this phone number for Qari Mohammad Yousuf, aka "Ahmadi". Presumably, this is how the AP called him.

(011 from US, then) 8821621515539

Or you can e-mail him here: qarimohammadyousaf@yahoo.com

A second phone number for another Taliban spokesman, "Mujahid"

(011 from US, then) 8821621360585

Just in case you want to give Ahmadi a piece of your mind........

UPDATE II by Rusty: Time's up.......

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Taliban Demands S. Korea Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan, Or 18 Christian Missionaries Will Be MURDERED

After claiming that they killed two German and 5 Afghan hostages earlier today, the Taliban said that the lives of 18 Christian missionaries hinge on South Korea pulling its 200 troops from Afghanistan (via MSNBC):

[Taliban spokesman] Ahmadi said that 18 kidnapped Koreans would also be killed Saturday if South Korea didn’t withdraw its 200 troops in Afghanistan.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun urged the Taliban to “send our people home quickly and safely.” He said 23 South Koreans had been abducted.

Roh also spoke with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and asked for cooperation to quickly win the release of the South Koreans, Roh’s office said.

The S. Korean troops mainly work on reconstruction and health care projects. The captive Koreans were on a mission trip to work in a Khandahar hospital.

Joseph Park, mission director of the Christian Council of Korea, said: “They are young Korean Christians who were engaged in short-term evangelistic activity and service for children in Kandahar. We cannot turn away from poor people and children there just because of safety risks.”

more...

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