Canadian diplomats freed in Mali appear to be in good health

Two Canadian diplomats, smiling and appearing to be in good health, appeared at a Thursday media event alongside Malian President Amadou Toumani Tour, one day afterthey were released by abductors who had kidnapped them four months ago in Niger.

Robert Fowler, a United Nations special envoy to Niger who once served as Canada's ambassador to Italy, and his assistant, Louis Guay, were released in northern Mali on Wednesday.

Two women, one Swiss, the other German, who had been held captive since January, were also released.

Thursday evening's media event in the Malian capital of Bamakowas the first public appearance made byFowler and Guay since the conclusion of their four-month ordeal.

Freelance journalist Martin Vogl, reporting from Bamako, told CBC News that Tour didmost ofthe talking at an "emotional" ceremony, although the Canadian ambassador in Mali, Virginie Saint-Louis, also said a few words. The two diplomatsremained silent.

"[Tour] had Mr. Fowler and Mr. Guay standing next to him: they both looked well," said Vogl.

Both men had "big beards, but they managed to get suits on and have their hair cut and they looked healthy and they were smiling."

Tour did not speak about the details of the kidnapping or the negotiations to free the two, saying those would emerge later, said Vogl.

"This was very much just a photo opportunity,I think, a chance for the press to see that both men were well, a chance for the Canadian ambassador here in Mali to also express her thanks on behalf of Canada to the Mali government," said Vogl.

The CBC's Margo McDiarmid, reporting from Ottawa, quoted a Canadian official as saying the two weren't physically harmed, "but they were suffering from psychological torture."

There are no more details about exactly what that means, said McDiarmid.

"But they clearly have gone through a very, very tough time over the last four months."

Both men set to return soon

Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke to the two men Thursday and told them he was relieved to hear that they were safe, said a statement issued by his office.

The two men would soon be reunited with their families, and all would fly togetherto Canada on a government aircraft, the statement said.

Speaking on Wednesday, Harper thanked the governments of Burkina Faso and Mali for theirhelp in negotiating the release of the Canadians.

He denied Ottawa paid any ransom or made any promises regarding militants being held prisoner by other countries. However, he did not explicitly rule outthe possibility thateither of the other two governments may have done so.

"The government of Canada does not pay ransom or money. The government of Canada does not release prisoners," he told reporters at an Ottawa news conference.

"What efforts or initiatives may have been undertaken by other governments are questions you will have to put to those governments."

Tour, who didn't take any questions, declined to talk about possible ransom payments or prisoner exchanges.

Buta source in Mali close to the talkstoldRadio Canada thatdiscussions were relayed to the local al-Qaeda leader through tribal elders.

Hesaid several trucks drove into Mali's northern deserts yesterday to retrieve Fowler and Guay, and that the al-Qaeda leader even praised Fowler's dignity and courage throughout the four-month ordeal.

Speculation abounds

Al-Qaeda's North African branch had claimed responsibility for the kidnappings of the two Canadians. The group, known by the French acronym AQMI, also said it was holding four European tourists taken in January.

The two women released Wednesday are believed to be among those kidnapped in January.A Swiss man and a British man remain missing.

Vogl said the negotiators who worked on the release of the four on Wednesday are very discreet and unlikely to release details.

"All I can say is anybody who knows this situation says that some money must have changed hands," said Vogl.

"Two Austrians were also held by the same group, al-Qaeda, last year, and everybody says that money changed hands in that situation."

Mining a bone of contention

Fowler and Guay werereturning from a trip to a Canadian-operated minein Niger with their UN driver, Soumana Moukaila, when they were abducted on Dec. 14. Their vehicle was found the same day, abandoned in good working condition about 40 kilometres northeast of Niger's capital, Niamey.

Moukaila was freed in March.

Both diplomats were inNiger tohelp broker a peace deal in the northern part of the country.A minority group of nomads called the Tuaregs are fighting with the government, which they accuse of pillaging their land by opening the country up to uranium mining companies from Canada and other countries. The Tuaregs feel they are not being adequately compensated for the use of their pastoralland.

Tuareg rebels from the Front for Forces of Redress initially claimed responsibility for the abductions, but later retracted thatstatement.

Some Western intelligence officials believe the Tuaregs may have traded the hostages to al-Qaeda.