Negotiations to Release Swede Expert [Archives:2000/48/Front Page]

Negotiations are still going on between the kidnappers and mediators who were sent lately after failure of first mediations to secure the release of the kidnapped Swede expert. Sources, close to Brigadier General Nagi Ali Al-Zaidi, who is leading mediators, said the kidnappers had put conditions that were rejected by the government. On the other hand, forces of Mechanised Brigade 25 stationed in Serwah moved to lay siege against the kidnappers in Al-Majaza region, 50 kilometers to the west of Mareb. However, military sources, refusing to be identified, said that the roads leading to the region had been blocked and that reaching the kidnappers location required many military men due to ruggedness of the area.
Tribal sources mentioned that the kidnappers had changed their place in Al-Mahjaza region and went to a mountain known as Murshed. The whereabouts of the kidnapped was not known yet. The kidnappers from Gahm tribe demanded 20,000,000 rials from the government as compensations for the tribe and the losses they suffered because of dismissing them from their jobs. They also demanded two water pumps, 50 soldiers for the tribesmen, paying salaries of the civil and military employees who were dismissed from their jobs and that the kidnapped would not be released unless the government gives guarantees to meet their demands.
On the other hand, sources said that Sheik Mohammed Bin Nagi Al-Ghader (Chief Sheik of Khawlan) is expected to mediate in this matter after his meeting with the Vice President.

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