http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070902/FOREIGN/109020046/1001
“Seoul said to have ransomed hostages”
REUTERS NEWS AGENCY
September 2, 2007
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Kim Man-bok, the head of South Korea’s lead spy agency, denied at the airport ceremony that the government had paid a ransom, but the senior Taliban leader disagreed.
“We got more than $20 million from [the Seoul government],” the commander said on the condition of anonymity. “With it, we will purchase arms, get our communication network renewed and buy vehicles for carrying out more suicide attacks.””
Page 2:
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “However, Qari Mohammed Yousuf, a Taliban spokesman, later said no ransom was paid, explaining it would discredit the group. There was no explanation for the discrepancy.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47262
“Paratroopers Take Fight to Taliban During Operation Destined Strike”
By Sgt. Brandon Aird, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2007