Afghan Government Pledges To End Hostage Deals

(RFE/RL) April 15, 2007 -- Afghanistan's government has promised to end all hostage deals with the Taliban after two Afghan kidnap victims were executed in an agreement to free an Italian journalist.

Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta said kidnapping risked becoming an "industry" for the rebels.

But he promised to use all possible means to win the release of two French aid workers, who were kidnapped along with three Afghan colleagues in southwestern Afghanistan on April 3.

(AFP)