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.