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 Taliban MurderersPosted August 1st, 2007 by Jen in politics/world newsI noticed a CNN story from July 22, in which a Taliban spokesman said that talks with South Korea over the fate of the 23 volunteer [Christian] aid workers were progressing well, and “the situation will be solved peacefully.” These South Korean Christian aid workers were seized by Taliban forces on July 18, while travelling from Kandahar to the Afghan capital of Kabul. Well, the Taliban has murdered two of the hostages so far - as of Aug. 1, 2007, 10:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The latest Taliban deadline has passed. My prayers go out to the families of Rev. Bae Hyung-kyu and Shim Sung-min. Why, again, is any government negotiating with lying, murderous madmen? I am on my knees praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ, who are being persecuted. Please join me. The Afghan army has dropped leaflets in the Ghazni area where the hostages are being held, warning area residents of an impending military mission. I can only pray for God-speed, a successful mission, the saving of the South Korean Christians, and the destruction of the Taliban. But under no circumstances should any of the governments or groups involved bow to the requests of the Taliban. No exchange of militant Taliban prisoners for the South Korean hostages. Giving in to the demands of terrorists only invites more terrorism. This is so very difficult, I know. The humanitarian loss is crushing. If my son or daughter were among the hostages…I am sure my emotions would cloud my opinions.
There is a gathering of South Korean families at the U.S. Embassy today. These families of the hostages are angry….at the United States. One young man carries a sign that says “Bush, talk to the Taleban.” And why is this situation the fault of the United States? Yes, we led the multinational force that brought down the Taliban regime in Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Does that mean the U.S. is responsible for the acts of every madman in the region? No, it’s just nice to have someone else to blame, somewhere else to direct your anger. photo credits: Reuters |
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6 Responses
This is a very complicated subject. I too do not understand why the US has to answer for every kidnap/ransom, kidnap for fun(?) situation in Afghanistan.
Personally, families of the kidnapped South Koreans directing their anger to the US is not right and not fair. I know they’ve been to a lot lately but forgive me, I want to ask them, why on earth did they ever think of going to such violent, unstable and war-torn land in the first place?
Grace, it is very complicated, indeed.
Right now, I’m frustrated because I’m getting hardly a thing on this story from the major news outlets. Not even included in CNN’s Top 100 Stories on Terrorism! Why the silence on this hostage crisis??
This came today from Canada.com, a Reuters story:
This from jihadwatch.org on July 31, a CBS/AP story:
Grace, regarding the feelings of many people that perhaps these Korean Christians brought this on themselves for ever going to such a violent place to begin with. Blame should not be placed on the victim. To understand the heart and motivation of these men and women, one really has to understand their Christian faith. They were providing humanitarian aid, just as the many Red Cross or Peace Corps workers would provide, and we certainly don’t condemn those folk for being in a war-torn place.
But Christians, for some reason, we blame. Because of that element of Christianity that calls for the preaching of the Good News of the Gospel of Christ to all nations. One cannot be a Christian and ignore that command. I am sure that in addition to providing for the physical needs of people in the region, this group was also very concerned with the spiritual needs, which, in the long run, are far more critical.
An update from The Korea Times on 8/3/07 tells us that the Taliban has denied doctors access to the South Korean hostages.
The purported Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, said that 16 of the 21 remaining hostages are sick, mostly suffering from dehydration and intestinal disorders, and that two of the female hostages are gravely ill. They were all just fine when they were kidnapped off the bus, so what abuses or torture have the Taliban been inflicting to make the hostages so sick???
And this statement from Ahmadi displays the Taliban’s inhumanity:
There is no breakthrough in sight. Taliban and South Korean negotiators are trying to find an agreeable place for face-to-face talks, but nothing suggested so far has been suitable. The Associated Islamic Press reported that the Taliban requested a U.N. guarantee of their safety during any talks.
What to say? Clearly the Taliban will agree to only one thing: a trade of Taliban prisoners for the Korean hostages. Both the Afghan government and the United States are firm in their position of no trade. What’s there to talk about? And why should the U.N. be protecting cold-blooded, murderous terrorists? As terribly risky as it is, my humble opinion would be to effect a covert military operation to free the hostages.
I feel for the hostages. It would be a horrible place to be, and I would pray and beg for God to send someone to free me. However, it is not the US’s responsibility or right to get involved, I don’t understand why they are mad at the US. Other than the fact that we may be the only ones who actually could do anything about it.
Sadly, noone should try to negotiate to get them out of there. If it were my child, I would not agree with that, but it is the right thing to do for the world and future hostages. Whats the point if noone will give you what you want anyway?
BUT I am so thankful that the hostages ARE Christians, they have the Lord to lean on and they have HOPE.
More from Korea Times
Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, the purported Taliban spokesman, claims that the Taliban received only a small quantity of medical supplies sent by a group of Afghan doctors. Yes, finally, Afghan doctors were allowed to airdrop some medicine - plenty of medicine according to the Afghan doctors.
I don’t believe for a moment the Taliban claims that it’s only a small amount.
Also in this article:
So, somehow it is the fault of Karzai and Bush if the Taliban kill more hostages? How’s that for logic?
I do believe that we are our brother’s keeper. In a sense, the U.S. does have a responsibility here, simply because of our large role on the world stage. However, the logic of pinning murder on the U.S. because our government refuses to buckle to the demands of crazed Islamic terrorists…
The U.S. is doing the right thing by engaging in diplomacy with the legitimate governments of South Korea and Afghanistan. There is much more going on behind the scenes than we know. But, once again, compromising with a madman should not be on the list of action.
[…] The Taliban released two female hostages on Monday, the Korea Times reported. There remain 19 South Korean hostages, 16 of whom are women. The Taliban have backed off somewhat on their demand for a prisoner swap, now demanding ransom - a total of around $10 million for the surviving South Koreans. Supposedly, this release was a “gesture of goodwill” according to a Taliban spokesman. However, an unnamed source says the two hostages were freed for ransom, after direct negotiations between the government of South Korea and the Taliban. […]
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