2 S. Koreans may be freed ‘soon’

ghazni, afghanistan -- A purported Taliban spokesman said the militants would release two ailing female South Korean hostages “soon” for the sake of good relations with South Korea, but international Red Cross and Afghan officials could not confirm the claim.

Qari Yousef Ahmadi said Saturday that the Taliban’s high command had made the decision to free the two women because they were ill, but added that the commanders had not decided on the timing of their release.

Two Taliban leaders and four South Korean officials met Saturday for a second day of face-to-face talks over the fate of 21 South Korean hostages being held since July 19 by the militants.

The two Taliban leaders said earlier Saturday that the Koreans would “definitely” be released, possibly as soon as “today or tomorrow,” Ahmadi said.

Marajudin Pathan, the provincial local governor, said he had not heard that two women would be released and that it hadn’t been discussed during negotiations Saturday. He said talks would continue today.

Mullah Bashir, one of the Taliban representatives, said that the face-to-face negotiations were going well and that the Taliban was sticking with its original demand -- that 21 Taliban prisoners be released from Afghan prisons.

Asked when the South Koreans might be freed, he said, “Hopefully today or tomorrow.”

“I’m very optimistic. The negotiations are continuing on a positive track,” Bashir said.

The Taliban kidnapped 23 South Koreans, all volunteers from a church group, last month. Two of the men later were shot to death.