Talks in sight to free S Koreans held by Taliban

Ghazni, Aug 03: South Korean officials scrambled Friday to free 21 aid workers held by Afghanistan's Taliban, who said they had been told their key demand for a release of captured fighters would be met.

With two other aid workers already shot dead and the rest under threat of death, Afghan provincial officials and the hardline Islamic militia said there were plans for a face-to-face meeting between the Taliban and a South Korean delegation.

That was not confirmed by the South Korean government, but Seoul -- backed by relatives of the hostages -- has repeatedly stated its stiff opposition to any attempt to free them by military action.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing "informed sources," said that the Taliban had agreed to meet ambassador Kang Sung-Zu, although they had not yet agreed on a venue.

With most of the hostages sick, including two women reportedly in critical condition, the talks are likely to be held later Friday, the sources said.

Presidential spokesman Oh Young-Jin had no comment on the report

The abduction highlights growing insecurity in Afghanistan, one of the key battlegrounds in the US-led "war on terror", nearly six years after the United States led the invasion that toppled the Taliban government.

The crisis may overshadow Afghan President Hamid Karzai's summit Sunday and Monday with US President George W. Bush outside Washington.