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GHAZNI, Afghanistan: The Taliban on Friday refused to allow an Afghan medical team access to 21 South Koreans and said it would free two who are gravely ill only if the government released two imprisoned rebels.
The team of doctors and nurses had volunteered to treat the captives, most of whom are said to be ill after more than two weeks in captivity, and travelled to southern Ghazni province where the aid workers were kidnapped.
But the Taliban said it had refused to allow them access to the hostages.
"If they are concerned about their health, they must release two of our prisoners in exchange for the two hostages who are very sick," said Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi.
Ahmadi said Tuesday two of the 16 women in the group were suffering serious medical problems.
"Their condition is very bad. We don't have enough medicines -- maybe they will die," he said. He gave no details of their condition.
Talks to free the hostages appear to have stalled over the government's refusal to meet the Taliban demand for prisoner releases. - AFP/ac
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