NEW DELHI, 1 August 2004 — The government of India yesterday deputed Indian Ambassador to Oman, Talmiz Ahmad, as its negotiator to Iraq for the early release of three Indian hostages held by a militant group.
“It has been decided to depute Talmiz Ahmad our ambassador in Muscat,” Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed told reporters in New Delhi after a two-hour meeting of the Crisis Management Group.
Ahamed said Talmiz, a former ambassador in Riyadh, is a seasoned diplomat who has served in the Gulf for a long time and is well versed in Arabic language.
The diplomat will be assisted by an Arabic interpreter, Zikrur Rahman, the minister said adding he had no fresh word on the fate of hostages.
“We understand that Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad is already on his way to Baghdad and expected to reach Baghdad either this evening or at latest by tomorrow morning,” the minister added. The External Affairs Ministry had earlier decided to send to Baghdad a senior official who is familiar with the region and its language.
“Talmiz is an experienced diplomat and has been the official spokesperson of the ministry,” the statement said.
“In addition to having been the head of the Gulf and Haj division, he has served the Gulf region (Kuwait, Baghdad, Sana, Jeddah and Riyadh) over the past several years,” the minister added.
The Indian government has so far been conducting its negotiations through the Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company, which employed the seven kidnapped truckers, including the three Indians — Antaryami, Tilak Raj and Sukhdev Singh.
Appeal for Release of Hostages
Minister Ahamed, however, made a fresh appeal to the captors for the release of the hostages and assured that India will not send its troops to Iraq.
“…We have taken a firm decision not to send troops to Iraq because we respect Iraqi sentiments. We respect Iraqi’s honor, we respect Iraqi leaders, but still our people are now hostages.
“…So, I appeal to everybody, I appeal to the people, to that group of people who have taken our innocent people hostage, please release them in the name of Islam, in the name of brotherhood, in the name of cordial relationship, in the name of humanity. I repeat please release all innocent people including our three Indians.”
