The Kabul Tribune (KT) — President Donald Trump has appointed his special envoy for Belarus, John Coale, as the new U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, the White House said.
Trump said Coale helped secure the return of more than 65
Americans and citizens of U.S. allies from Belarus over the past year and
negotiated the release of more than 800 political prisoners in several Eastern
European countries.
Coale will succeed Adam Boehler, who previously served as
the U.S. special presidential envoy for hostage affairs and traveled to
Afghanistan several times.
The Trump administration has repeatedly said securing the
release of Americans unlawfully detained overseas is a priority.
U.S. officials say at least three American citizens are
currently being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The State Department
previously told Afghanistan International that the Taliban must release all
American hostages after the administration placed the Taliban authorities on
its list of countries responsible for wrongful detentions.
The State Department has also urged the Taliban to end what
it called “hostage diplomacy” and warned that continued detentions could carry
consequences.
According to the Foley Foundation, several other Americans
are being detained in countries considered U.S. allies or partners, including
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Cambodia.
The appointment of Coale comes as the Trump administration
continues efforts to secure the release of Americans held abroad and increase
pressure on governments and groups accused of unlawfully detaining U.S.
citizens.
