Freed Hostages Get a Hero’s Welcome

Dozens of former hostages--about half the passengers aboard an Afghan jetliner hijacked last week--returned home to a hero’s welcome, kissing the sandy soil of Kandahar and accepting gifts from a waiting official. Embracing the Taliban’s foreign minister, Wakil Ahmed Mutawakel, they gave thanks for their safe return and an end to the ordeal that began Feb. 6 in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and ended Thursday in Britain. Sixty adults and 13 children, including the 10 crew members of the Ariana Airlines jet, returned home. Mutawakel urged Britain to reject the requests of about 70 other passengers who are seeking asylum, saying such approval would encourage hijacking. Meanwhile, 13 suspects were charged in Britain with seizing an aircraft and its passengers.