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| Africa North |
| Tuareg rebellion shakes up efforts of releasing the Austrian hostages |
| 2008-03-25 |
| The recent clashes between Tuareg rebels and Malian Army have shaken up negotiations being engaged to find an end to the crisis of the two Austrian hostages. Still, Austrian Authorities are remaining confident and optimistic in terms of releasing its nationals following the extension of the ultimatum to an unidentified period. The Austrian envoy to Bamako, Ambassador Anton Prohaska has not denied that the progress of negotiations with the abductors of the two Austrian nationals is depending a lot on the ease of tension between Tuareg rebels and the Malian Government in northern country. Media sources quoted Prohaska saying he is optimistic, though, for the return of calm in the north of Kidal region, “in order to pursue negotiations without any hinders,” adding: “we trust in Malian Authorities’ cooperation in the efforts of releasing the hostages.” However, several intelligence services in Europe believe that the outbreak of Tuareg rebellion again in northern Mali has likely helped kidnappers changing their site in the Sahara, while some said they have left to the Algerian territories. Furthermore, the chief of Counter-Espionage Department at the German intelligence told Spiegel weekly newspaper, in an interview to be read today: “we are following with a great concern events taking place there; we have noticed the emergence of new aspects which are likely leading to set ranks of Jihadists before our doors.” |
| Posted by:Fred |