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24/11/2004
'Grateful' Kabul hostages look forward to returning to work
Three UN election workers who were freed yesterday nearly a month after being abducted in Afghanistan have spoken of their gratitude to the Afghan people for supporting them during their plight.
In a joint statement released today, Shqipe Hebibi, Annetta Flanigan and Angelito Nayan thanked the Afghan people and said they were looking forward to getting back to work.
The three, from Kosovo, Northern Ireland and the Philippines, said they had been "humbled" by the messages of support and solidarity they had received.
The three had been working with the UN Development Programme on the country's first ever presidential elections. They were in the capital Kabul when they were abducted on October 28. A group calling itself the Jaish-e-Muslimeen, the 'Army of Muslims', subsequently claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.
“During our many months of work here in Afghanistan we have learned to love Afghanistan, its people, its culture and traditions. The awful experience we went through does not change our feelings for the Afghan people and the solidarity they have shown during the 27 days of our captivity just strengthens our commitment to support Afghanistan in its transition to peace and democracy,” they said.
The trio also expressed gratitude to the many people and institutions that worked together to secure their release.
“We are looking forward to joining our families and to returning to our work,” they added.
(gmcg/mb)
In a joint statement released today, Shqipe Hebibi, Annetta Flanigan and Angelito Nayan thanked the Afghan people and said they were looking forward to getting back to work.
The three, from Kosovo, Northern Ireland and the Philippines, said they had been "humbled" by the messages of support and solidarity they had received.
The three had been working with the UN Development Programme on the country's first ever presidential elections. They were in the capital Kabul when they were abducted on October 28. A group calling itself the Jaish-e-Muslimeen, the 'Army of Muslims', subsequently claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.
“During our many months of work here in Afghanistan we have learned to love Afghanistan, its people, its culture and traditions. The awful experience we went through does not change our feelings for the Afghan people and the solidarity they have shown during the 27 days of our captivity just strengthens our commitment to support Afghanistan in its transition to peace and democracy,” they said.
The trio also expressed gratitude to the many people and institutions that worked together to secure their release.
“We are looking forward to joining our families and to returning to our work,” they added.
(gmcg/mb)
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