Ethiopia in contact with kidnappers, rules out rescue

MEKELE, Ethiopia, Mar 10 (Reuters) Ethiopia today said 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 are hoping that these people would be freed unharmed and safe,'' Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin told reporters in the northern town of Mekele.

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.

''We should focus on saving the lives of these people.'' 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 neighbouring Eritrea, possibly in the hands of Afar separatist rebels.

But Seyoum would not comment on that. ''The situation requires patience and utmost care,'' he added.

URGING RELEASE 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.

''What's most important is that these people are safe and alive, and we hope that they would join their families and friends. The only thing I cannot tell you is when.'' 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 neighbours have bitter relations stemming from a 1998-2000 border war and a still unresolved dispute over their common 1,000 km (620 mile) frontier.

Seyoum said he was not worried about a deterioration in relations with Eritrea 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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