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01 August 2004
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Sunday
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14 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425
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India mulls evacuating 6,000 men from Iraq
NEW DELHI, July 31: India said on Saturday it is considering evacuating about 6,000 of its nationals from Iraq as a top dilplomat rushed to Baghdad in a bid to secure the release of three Indian workers held hostage by militants.
The Press Trust of India news agency quoted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is attending a summit in Thailand, as saying a contingency plan is being finalised to bring home Indians in Iraq.
"The government is aware of the problems and all preparations are on the anvil," Mr Singh told the news agency in Bangkok, adding everything possible was being done to secure the release of the three Indian truck drivers.
Meanwhile, Indian Junior Foreign Minister E. Ahamed told reporters in New Delhi the government had sent Talmiz Ahmad, India's ambassador in Muscat, to Baghdad to negotiate the hostages' release.
"He is... an Arabic speaker and has served in the Gulf region," the minister said.
"We understand that Ambassador Ahmad is already on his way to Baghdad and expected to reach Baghdad either this evening or at latest by tomorrow morning," he added.-AFP
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