Background:

Hans Koolstra is telling Cornelis Hulsman about the release of his family, after being kidnapped by a tribe in Yemen. The exact date of the interview is not known but it was shortly after the interview of Cornelis Hulsman with Dr. Truus Wierdsma.

For more information please refer to the following tapes: 

• Dr. Truus Wierdsma on the kidnapping of the Koolstra family in Yemen

http://www.arabwestreport.info/en/dr-truus-wierdsma-kidnapping-koolstra-...

• First telephone call of the Koolstra family after their release:

http://www.arabwestreport.info/en/first-telephone-call-koolstra-family-a...

• Dutch Radio Program Tijdsein: Interviews Hans Koolstra after his release in Yemen:

http://www.arabwestreport.info/en/dutch-radio-program-tijdsein-interview...

• Minister of Information ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Aqwā on kidnappings of foreigners in Yemen I:

http://www.arabwestreport.info/en/minister-information-%CA%BFabd-al-ra%E...

• Minister of Information ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Aqwā on kidnappings of foreigners in Yemen II:

http://www.arabwestreport.info/en/minister-information-%CA%BFabd-al-ra%E...

Side A:

The Dutch Koolstra family has been released after being kidnapped in Yemen in 1999. Cornelis Hulsman interviews Hans Koolstra after his release. He describes the way the Dutch Embassy and the kidnappers negotiated. The Koolstras already felt relieved as soon as they met the negotiators. After the negotiations, they drove away and the kidnappers stayed behind. Hans said the family grew tired of the kidnappers lies, although they have been treated well. The rest of the family was happy to learn about their release. He says the family likes to stay in Yemen, although it depends on the family’s psychological well-being. Yemen is still their home. Hans Koolstra says that living in Yemen has its risks, but living in other countries, even the Netherlands, is not without risks too. Hans Koolstra says that both Christian and Muslim families have been praying for the release of him and his family.