This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6940873.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
S Korea in Taleban hostage talks S Korea in Taleban hostage talks
(about 2 hours later)
South Korean officials have begun their first face-to-face talks with Taleban militants on the fate of 21 Christian hostages, Afghan officials say.South Korean officials have begun their first face-to-face talks with Taleban militants on the fate of 21 Christian hostages, Afghan officials say.
The talks were being held in the city of Ghazni, a senior official in the province told the BBC.The talks were being held in the city of Ghazni, a senior official in the province told the BBC.
The official said he was optimistic about the outcome of the talks.The official said he was optimistic about the outcome of the talks.
Two of the South Koreans have been killed, and the Taleban have threatened to kill more of them if a number of militants are not released from prison. Two of the South Korean hostages have been killed, and the Taleban say they will kill more of them if a number of militants are not released from prison.
Earlier the Taleban said the Afghan government had provided a written promise of safe passage to two of their top leaders, so that they could attend the talks.Earlier the Taleban said the Afghan government had provided a written promise of safe passage to two of their top leaders, so that they could attend the talks.
The government had provided security for the talks, but was not involved in the meeting, the Afghan official told the BBC. "At 6:15 pm today the face-to-face talks between the South Korea delegation and a two-member Taleban team started in the city of Ghazni," Taleban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told the AFP news agency.
Another Taleban official earlier said there would be "no problem" for the hostages as long as the talks continued.
HOSTAGE TIMELINE 19 July: 23 South Korean Christian aid workers seized on bus in Ghazni province26 July: Body of hostage Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu is found31 July: Second hostage Shim Sung-min, 29, found shot dead 10 August: South Korean officials and Taleban start talks S Korea agonises on hostagesHOSTAGE TIMELINE 19 July: 23 South Korean Christian aid workers seized on bus in Ghazni province26 July: Body of hostage Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu is found31 July: Second hostage Shim Sung-min, 29, found shot dead 10 August: South Korean officials and Taleban start talks S Korea agonises on hostages
Twenty-three South Koreans - most of them women - were seized on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar. The original group of 23 South Koreans - most of them women - were seized on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar.
Two men in the group, including the leader, were killed by their captors within the first fortnight of captivity.Two men in the group, including the leader, were killed by their captors within the first fortnight of captivity.
The Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans.The Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans.
Officials say military force could be used to free the group if the talks fail.Officials say military force could be used to free the group if the talks fail.
The South Korean government has repeatedly said it is opposed to direct military action.The South Korean government has repeatedly said it is opposed to direct military action.
It is thought the South Korean aid workers are being held in a number of small groups in a village about 10km (six miles) from Ghazni city centre.It is thought the South Korean aid workers are being held in a number of small groups in a village about 10km (six miles) from Ghazni city centre.