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Western diplomats continue to push for access to detainees

Western diplomats have vowed to maintain pressure on Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime, to allow consular access to the eight foreigners -- including two Australians -- who've been accused of preaching Christianity.

From Kabul, South Asia correspondent Jonathan Harley reports.

The Australian, German and American consuls along with their heads of mission in Islamabad, are urging the Taleban to at least allow the International Committee of the Red Cross access to the eight foreign detainees. On Tuesday the Foreign Minister said he'd consider allowing them to visit, but in the Afghan capital, the Red Cross's Mario Noussa says they've heard nothing. "We are ready since the very beginning of the story, so we're just waiting for that". The diplomats are planning to apply for new visas to return to Afghanistan as soon as possible. The Taleban have said there will be no consular access until religious police end their investigation.

23/08/01 12:02:41 | ABC Radio Australia News

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