Negotiations on Kidnapped Italian Near End

By DANIEL COONEY
Associated Press Writer

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Negotiations for the release of an Italian aid worker who was kidnapped last month were 'close to a conclusion,' the government said Wednesday.

Clementina Cantoni was abducted by armed men May 16 as she was being driven to her home in the capital, Kabul, where she was working for CARE International on a project to help Afghan widows and their families.

'The negotiations are ongoing. ... We are close to a conclusion. We are very optimistic,' Interior Ministry spokesman Latfullah Mashal told The Associated Press.



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