Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Taliban Says It is Unaware of Missing US Contractor

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - The Taliban said Friday it has conveyed to the United
   States the insurgent group is not holding an American hostage missing
   in Afghanistan.
   U.S. envoy for Afghan peace and reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, has
   confirmed he called for the release of Mark Frerichs, a Navy
   veteran-turned contractor, in his meeting Wednesday with Qatar-based
   Taliban leaders.
   Meanwhile, Afghan officials said an insurgent-planted roadside bomb
   explosion in eastern Khost province killed the provincial police chief
   and his three security guards. The Taliban claimed responsibility for
   plotting the deadly attack.
   U.S. officials and family members say Frerichs was abducted in late
   January. No group in Afghanistan has since claimed responsibility in a
   country ravaged and mired by years of violence.
   "Yes, Dr. Khalilzad asked for his release and he has made similar
   requests in our previous meetings with him," Taliban spokesman Suhail
   Shaheen told VOA Friday.
   "But from our side, it has again been conveyed to him that Mark
   Frerichs is not with us, nor did we capture him," said the insurgent
   official from the group's political office in the Qatari capital of
   Doha.

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