KYRGYZSTAN: FOUR AMERICAN HOSTAGES FREED скачать в хорошем качестве

KYRGYZSTAN: FOUR AMERICAN HOSTAGES FREED

(19 Aug 2000) English/Nat Troops from Kyrgyzstan have freed four American climbers who had been taken hostage by Islamic militants in a mountainous border region of the Central Asian nation. The four climbers were released in the Turo pass, an area along the border with Tajikistan that has been the site of heavy fighting since rebels invaded Kyrgyzstan earlier this month. The rebels are trying to carve out an Islamic state in the region. The ministry did not clarify when the Americans had been taken hostage. It didn't rule out that militants were still holding other mountaineers in the pass, which cuts through an expanse of jagged peaks that have become increasingly popular with climbers since the fall of the Soviet Union made them more accessible to foreigners. Six Germans and three Russians climbing in the area were released earlier this week after being held by militants. SOUNDBITE: (English) "We were sleeping on the side of a mountain, and then they shot at us and gestured us to go down to the ground. Then they took us to a camp and took all our things." SUPER CAPTION: Jason Smith, Released American SOUNDBITE: (English) "The nice thing about Kyrgyzstan is the people are so nice. They are used to travelers and help them out. You find very good mountains and climbing here." SUPER CAPTION: Jason Smith, Released American SOUNDBITE: (English) "We heard from some people that something might be wrong, and than from others that nothing is wrong." SUPER CAPTION: James Dicksey, Released American Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...