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FM says released men to fly back soon
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-01-24 23:52
The eight Chinese hostages freed in Iraq will leave for China as soon as
exact air ticketing arrangements have been made, an official with Chinese
Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
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| A
security guard leads a group of eight workers to a vehicle outside
their embassy after they were set free, in Baghdad January 24, 2005.
[Reuters] | Li Huaxin, deputy director of the ministry's department of west Asian and
north African affairs, said the exact date is dependent upon the booking of air
tickets and the choice of a route, which "is not yet decided."
"Anyway, we will send them home safely as soon as possible," he said.
According to the booking office of Air China in Beijing, the company does not
have a direct flight from Beijing to Baghdad, the Iraqi capital. It only offers
a flight from Beijing to Kuwait via Karachi in Pakistan, which departs each
Thursday.
The release of the men, all migrant workers seized last Tuesday on their way
from Iraq to Jordan, was announced Saturday but the Chinese Embassy in Iraq was
not able to make contact with them until late Sunday.
They were handed over to an Embassy representative at a mosque in the western
city of Ramadi, reported Xinhua, citing Iraqi sources.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said the men are safe and sound, and the
embassy would send them home at an early date.
Seen from the picture taken by the Xinhua News Agency, they appeared in good
health as they were escorted by Chinese embassy officials in Baghdad.
Kong expressed appreciation to all sides who made efforts in their release.
He said Chinese leaders showed grave concern about the safety of the hostages
and the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Chinese Embassy in Iraq and
embassies in neighbouring countries took all necessary measures and efforts
through various channels.
Kong said China supports the Iraq reconstruction process and is willing to
join hands with the international community in an efforts to restore peace and
stability there.
He again warned Chinese nationals against travelling to Iraq.
Deputy President of the Iraqi interim government Rowsch Nuri Shaways, who
finished his six-day visit in China yesterday, said he was "very delighted" to
hear the news of the release of the eight on Saturday, according to Xinhua.
He said Iraq and China have a splendid prospects in their
relationship.
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