QUETTA, Pakistan — The United Nations said Wednesday it was "very concerned" about the health of an American UN official kidnapped in Pakistan six weeks ago, and offered told direct talks with his abductors.
John Solecki, the head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, was snatched at gunpoint in Quetta on February 2. His driver was killed during the abduction.
An organisation claiming to hold Solecki, the Baluchistan Liberation United Front (BLUF), said in a statement to the private Online news agency Monday that they would kill him with in 48 hours if the government did not free more than 1,100 prisoners.
"We are very concerned about the apparent deterioration of John?s health, reported by the group holding him," the United Nations said.
"The United Nations is keen for John to receive immediate professional medical care in a clinic or hospital where the necessary medical tests can be carried out.
"John?s well-being is the responsibility of the group who is holding him and we hope they are taking steps to make sure John remains well and is not suffering.
"The UN is still willing to speak directly to those who have John, in the spirit of being ready to listen and to find a safe way to secure his release," the statement said.
BLUF spokesman Shahak Baloch told Online Monday that his group had given the government a list of 1,109 people and 141 women it wanted released but accused UN officials of not showing "seriousness."
"His condition is deteriorating, we are providing him every possible medical treatment, but it is making no difference," he said.
A security official said the US embassy, UNHCR and Pakistani officials were involved in "backdoor negotiations" with the abductors, but gave no details.
Major General Saleem Nawaz said the provincial government in Baluchistan had formed a committee to seek cooperation from any official or private person for Solecki's safe recovery
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