Three more hostages released in Haiti

By James Blears

In a statement, the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries say: "We`re thankful to God that three more hostages have been released. Those released are safe and seem to be in good spirits."

There are no details of who, how or why, this latest development has happened. The 400 mawozo gang who kidnapped the missionaries in October have demanded a million dollars each for their release.  They seized them off a bus along with their Haitian driver, in the town of Ganthier, to the east of the Capital Port Au Prince, after the group had visited an orphanage they are funding. 

Two of them were released last month and now three more. The organization says it`ll fast and pray for three days, in a spiritual initiative.

Sixteen of the missionaries are US Citizens and one is Canadian. Five are children. 

A US State Department and FBI team are working with Haitian Authorities to try and secure the release of all those held. The situation is still delicate and volatile, as threats have been made by the gang. It`s not known if negotiators are using a similar template utilized in April to free ten people kidnapped including seven clergy. They were seized in the town of Croix Des Bouquets. It wasn`t revealed if ransoms were paid back then.