A senior US official said today deals should not be done with hostage-takers ahead of the latest deadline set by Afghan Islamic militants who have threatened to kill three kidnapped UN workers, including an Irish woman.
The militants have demanded the release of 26 Taliban prisoners, some of whom may be in US custody, for the release of Ms Annetta Flanigan from Richhill, Co Armagh, Ms Shqipe Hebibi from Kosovo and Filipino diplomat Mr Angelito Nayan.
But visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage appeared to rule out any prisoners being released from US custody to meet kidnappers' demands.
"It is the United States' view that negotiating with hostage takers, compromising with hostage takers, only encourages more," Mr Armitage told reporters.
The three UN workers were abducted in Kabul on October 28th after helping to run presidential polls won by US-backed incumbent Mr Hamid Karzai.
A Taliban splinter faction, the Jaish-e Muslimeen (Army of Muslims), says it is holding them.
The group has threatened to kill the three and several deadlines for the release of the militants' 26 imprisoned comrades have passed. The latest was set for 11 a.m. (6.30 a.m. Irish time) today.
The militants say they have been negotiating through intermediaries with Afghan government and UN officials but authorities have declined to comment. Mr Armitage also declined to comment on efforts to free the UN workers.
"These matters have to be handled very delicately," he said.