CA Man Dies In Afghanistan

An official of the ruling Taliban government in Afghanistan says a California man has died in custody of natural causes. The man was identified as John Bolton of California, and his hometown and age were NOT reported.

A Taliban official said by telephone that Bolton entered Afghanistan as a relief worker, and was arrested in southern Afghanistan near its border with Pakistan. The official said

Bolton´s body was handed over to the International Red Cross. Red Cross officials said they were told of an American´s body, but they had not received it and had no information on the person´s identity.

The U-S State Department had NO comment on today´s Taliban report. A State Department spokeswoman in Washington said it was never confirmed an American was in custody in that Southern Afghan area.

The Taliban claims to have arrested several Americans on spying charges since the anti-terrorism military strikes began four weeks ago.