Effprts for the release of the three Indians hostages in Iraq received a major boost today after a KGL representative apparently held a meeting with Iraqi mediator Sheikh Hisham Al-Dulaimi.However, KGL — the company employing the three — refused to part with details of the meeting. In fact, the location too has not been disclosed. But company spokesperson Rana Abu Zaneih confirmed this evening that a meeting did take place even though the Crisis Management Group here, which wound up around 5.30 pm, had received no confirmation till then.Given the critical stage of the negotiations, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed — who also heads the CMG — decided to call off his trip to Samoa where he was scheduled to attend a meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum on August 9 and 10. He was also slated to proceed on bilateral visits to Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.While there has been ‘‘deliberate silence’’ on the ongoing developments, the impression being given is that the talks have been positive so far. But after Sunday’s experience — when Dulaimi suddenly pulled out of the negotiations — all concerned have decided to wait till the hostages are actually released.Official sources pointed out that these were very delicate negotiations and until the release has been secured and the hostages are in safe hands, it would be ‘‘inappropriate’’ to let out the details or make any comments.Caution apart, the general view has been that the talks would soon be completed and that some announcement could be expected in the next couple of days.Though not commenting in detail, Abu-Zaneih said KGL was ‘‘optimistic’’ that the situation would be resolved soon. ‘‘We have been doing it the right way and one would expect early results,’’ she said.According to Ahamed too, the situation is far too sensitive for him to make any firm comment. ‘‘I cannot speak anything about the efforts now,’’ he said.
