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Morning News

Afghan Plane Hijacking Drama Enters Third Days Without Sign of Nearing Resolution

Aired February 8, 2000 - 9:06 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN,CNN ANCHOR: In Britain, a plane hijacking drama is in its third day, and authorities say the standoff could last a while. For more than 24 hours, the Afghan airliner has been sitting at an airport north of London after hopscotching across central Asia and Moscow.

CNN's Richard Blystone has more on negotiations to free the more- than-150 hostages who are still on board that plane.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD BLYSTONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Another day of life's little routines led weight to the expectation that this hijack standoff could go on for days, and a terrorism expert said contacts on things even as simple as breakfast can work toward a solution.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The approach that I would take in these circumstances is to try and develop that dialog. Every time that the hijackers want something I would say, fine, but what are you going to give me back.

BLYSTONE: Police said the hijackers have made no political demands, but talks with British negotiators have covered a wide range of undisclosed subjects.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All that we know is that they have made these requests for what are effectively some housekeeping requirements. We have been able to fulfill and meet those requirements at every opportunity. I think that that is a positive step. It means that we're talking together, that we're about cooperating and negotiating and working together to bring about a successful conclusion where nobody gets hurt.

BLYSTONE: Police said, from the eight people who left the plane Monday they heard of a calm atmosphere and good treatment on board. But on what they may have learned about the number, arms and aims of the hijackers, no news.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have to be very careful about what it is that I say here. I wouldn't want to jeopardize anybody's safety.

BLYSTONE: Britain has had the hijackings and hostage takings of other countries' troubles land on its doorstep before, and it's convinced that patience and low-key talk works best.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLYSTONE: And as day two of this drama on British soil starts drawing toward a close, an odd sense of calm and normality prevails here: flights taking off every few minutes as usual, the massive police presence of yesterday largely disbursed. And that's just the way the authorities want it. They think that time is on their side.

Richard Blystone, CNN, live at Stansted Airport outside London.

KAGAN: Richard, thank you very much.

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