President Karzai Pleased by News of Clementina
Cantoni’s Release
Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President
06/09/2005
Presidential Palace, Kabul - H.E. Hamid
Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is
extremely pleased to hear that Clementina Cantoni, the Kabul-based
Italian employee of CARE International, has been released from
custody of her hostage-takers this evening. The President is
happy that Ms Cantoni, who was taken hostage by a gang of criminals
in Kabul on 17 May 2005 and remained in custody since then,
will return to her family, friends and colleagues in good health.
The President praises the hard work of the Ministry
of the Interior and other security forces, the valuable efforts
of some ulema and tribal leaders, and the expression of solidarity
by women groups in Afghanistan, which together resulted in resolution
of the hostage case. The President recognises that the outpouring
of support for Clementina among Afghans, Italians and people
in the rest of the world has played a role in securing her freedom.
The President once again condemns the act of hostage-taking
which is criminal and unacceptable under any circumstances.
The President believes that hostage-taking is a cowardly act
which runs counter to the religious and cultural values of the
Afghan people who have expressed their condemnation.
The President looks forward to meeting Clementina
Cantoni in person.
