Missing soldier still being held-US military

BAGHDAD, Nov 2 (Reuters) The US military said today it believed an American soldier who was abducted in Baghdad 10 days ago is still being held by his captors.

US military spokesman Major General William Caldwell also told a news conference there was a ''tremendous amount of political activity'' under way to secure the release of the US soldier of Iraqi descent, who was kidnapped by gunmen while visiting relatives after leaving the security of the Green Zone.

Caldwell identified the soldier as Ahmed al-Taie, a 41-year-old linguist and said he was visiting family ''including his Iraqi wife'' when he was kidnapped. His family told reporters he was taken by Shi'ite militiamen.

''At this point, we believe the ones who kidnapped Ahmed currently still have him,'' Caldwell told reporters.

Asked if the US military had been in contact either directly or indirectly with the kidnappers, Caldwell said: ''There is ongoing dialogue that is being done at different levels at this time, but it would be inappropriate for me to state with whom or at what level.'' He said US military operations were still underway in Baghdad to hunt the soldier.

REUTERS SSC BD1919