Pakistan’s Help Sought In Freeing Of Hostages

Members of Congress are seeking help from Pakistan in the freeing of Spokane psychologist Donald Hutchings and three other hostages of an obscure group in the Himalayas.

Rep. George Nethercutt of Spokane said there has been little news out of Kashmir, where Hutchings and the others were kidnapped nearly a year ago. Attempts by India to free the hostages have so far failed.

So Nethercutt, Sens. Slade Gorton and Patty Murray of Washington and others have asked for any help the Pakistani parliament can supply.

“Any assistance you or the government of Pakistan can provide in expediting the immediate and safe return of these captives to their families would be gratefully appreciated by all Americans,” said the letter, which was sent Friday after also being signed by House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss.

The rebel group that claimed responsibility for the kidnapping was unknown before the incident occurred. Al-Faran apparently wants Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim state, separated from Hindudominated India. Whether it wants Kashmir to be its own nation, or joined to Pakistan, is unclear.

A captured guerrilla recently told Indian officials that the hostages were killed and buried months ago. Although the Indian government said it doubts that story, it has sent teams of specially trained dogs to the area in an attempt to find bodies.

Pakistan previously denounced the kidnappings, the letter notes. It asks the parliament to “help create a climate of public opinion in the region that would hasten the immediate release of the hostages.”

, DataTimes