§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 1999,Official Report, columns 211–12, on Chechnya, how many rescue attempts were reported in respect of the hostages employed by Granger Telecom prior to 6 December 1998. [73256]
§ Mr. Tony LloydTwo Chechen clans linked to Chechen Telecom were reportedly searching for the hostages a week after the kidnap. The Chechen authorities announced that they were planning operations around 24 October to free all hostages in Chechnya, following an unproductive ultimatum to kidnappers. Similar Chechen446W anti-kidnap operations were reported in late November 1998. On 25 November the Chechen Security Service claimed publicly that it had "operational information" on the hostages and was close to resolving the case.
§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 212, on Chechnya, when his Department made contact with Granger Telecom following receipt of the Interfax report of 6 December 1998. [73254]
§ Mr. Tony LloydFCO officials faxed a copy of the media report of 6 December to Granger Telecom, for information, before 1300 on Monday 7 December.