By JOHN SIMPSON
BBC WORLD AFFAIRS EDITOR
THE Taliban’s decision to release Andrew North, a former BBC correspondent, together with the other people who were arrested at the same time, is a huge relief.
They had been working in Afghanistan for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The Taliban leadership is anxious to keep in with the UN and other institutions in order to get international help at a time when the Afghan economy has collapsed and its people are starving.
But other Westerners are still in prison in Afghanistan. Several are British people who were working for security organisations under the old regime. The most prominent is Peter Jouvenal, a friend and trusted colleague. At one time he was one of the most distinguished television journalists and cameramen in the world, and was with me when, disguised in burkas, we entered Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in October 2001.
A few weeks later, as Kabul fell, Peter and I, together with a BBC news team, walked into the city and were given a rapturous reception by the inhabitants. Peter’s contacts and knowledge of Afghanistan made all these things possible. His coverage was seen around the world.
Today he is a businessman with interests in Afghanistan, including many that could help rebuild the shattered economy there.
He was arrested in Kabul early in December. His circumstances are bad. It seems Peter and another Briton are being held in a small cell. It’s bitterly cold, and all they have to eat each day is a bowl of rice, occasionally garnished with beans. He has no access to the medicine he needs for high blood pressure.
At first, Peter’s family wanted to keep his arrest quiet, in case the Taliban demanded some concession from the British or German governments – Peter has dual nationality.
The Foreign Office has been active on Peter’s behalf, and seemed to have made progress.
But when Andrew North was arrested, Amrullah Saleh, a leading figure in the old regime, revealed that Peter was also being held.
It killed off any attempt to deal with Peter’s imprisonment discreetly.
On Friday, David Loyn, a former BBC correspondent who is leading the efforts to get Peter freed, said: ‘Peter’s family and friends believe that he may have been detained in error, as he was in Afghanistan to discuss investments in Afghanistan’s mining industry. He was working openly and had frequent meetings with senior Taliban officials.’
Peter’s chief interest is helping the people of Afghanistan to prosper again. He is married to an Afghan and has three daughters. Afghanistan has been his life.
The Taliban desperately need the help of the outside world. They freed Andrew North directly his plight became known. They must now free Peter Jouvenal.