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Ethiopia in touch with captors of group of tourists

Ethiopia said yesterday it was in contact with an armed group that kidnapped five European and eight locals in a remote northern region -- but ruled out a military operation to rescue them.

"Those who are responsible are being reached through different channels and we're hoping that these people will be released unharmed," Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin told journalists.

He said that the captives were in the Afar region that straddles Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea but declined to speculate in which country they are being held.

"We urge those who are responsible for this kidnapping to release those people safe, and the earlier, the better," Seyoum said.

Amid speculation British special forces were in the area, Mesfin said a rescue mission was not being prepared.

"We still have not reached that stage. So let's rule out this option for the moment, because the safety and the security of these people is most important for us," he said.

The hostages were seized by an armed band nine days ago during a tour of the Afar, one of the hottest and most hostile terrains on earth, inhabited mainly by nomadic herders.

As well as eight Ethiopian translators, drivers and guides, the hostages include three British men, one Italian-British woman, and a French woman.

The five expatriates are all linked to the British Embassy in Ethiopia.

Local Afar people and some regional officials have said the hostages were marched into Eritrea, possibly in the hands of Afar separatist rebels.

Ethiopian officials and British diplomats are believed to be communicating with the kidnappers via local Afar elders.

"It is very indirect, it goes through different channels," Seyoum said.

"We still are trying our best through our contacts ... to urge those who are responsible for this kidnapping to release these people safe, and the earlier the better," he added.

He reiterated the hostages were in good condition despite their captivity.

Regional officials initially blamed Eritrea's military for the abduction, though in recent days they have said it may be Eritrean-backed Afar separatists.

Asmara has denied involvement and said the hostages are still in Ethiopia.

The two Horn of Africa nations have bitter relations stemming from a 1998 to 2000 border war.

Seyoum said he was not worried about a deterioration in relations over the kidnapping.

"Where would this Eritrea-Ethiopia [relationship] go from where it is now? We have the worst relations with them," he said.
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