From: Abraham Rein (ARein@sorosny.org)
Date: Wed Aug 16 2000 - 12:12:12 EDT
KYRGYZ TROOPS FREE GERMAN HOSTAGES. During their reportedly
successful operation to drive the Islamist militants back to
the Tajik border, Kyrgyz government troops on 15 August
released eight German mountaineers taken hostage by the
Islamists four days earlier. None of the German climbers had
been harmed. In Bishkek, General Bolot Djanuzakov, who is
Kyrgyz Security Council secretary, claimed on 15 August that
the Islamists have at their disposal combat aircraft supplied
by Afghanistan's Taliban, according to Interfax. Speaking in
Dushanbe on 15 August, Tajik Security Council Deputy
Secretary Nuralisho Nazarov rejected Djanuzakov's claim that
500-700 fighters are gathered in the Karategin valley on the
Tajik side of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border ready to enter
Kyrgyzstan, Asia Plus-Blitz reported. Nazarov also denied
reports that former United Tajik Opposition fighters who have
now joined the country's armed forces are aiding the
Islamists. LF
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