Germany rejects Taliban demands after video release

BERLIN, Aug 1 (Reuters) German officials reaffirmed today Berlin would not give in to pressure from the Taliban to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, after Al Jazeera television broadcast a video showing a German hostage.

The man appeared on Al Jazeera yesterday in a video without sound but a presenter said the hostage, which the broadcaster identified as Rudolf B., urged Germany and the United States to pull their troops out of Afghanistan to help save his life.

''We cannot bow down to such demands,'' said Peter Struck, the parliamentary leader of the centre-right Social Democrats, who share power with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives.

Struck, a former defence minister, said there was no question of withdrawing the 3,000 troops Germany has in the north of Afghanistan.

A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said experts were analysing the video, which showed one of the militants pointing a racket-propelled grenade launcher at the man.

''This is a targeted attempt at intimidation,'' Julia Gross told a news conference, adding: ''The government is working around the clock to try to establish contact with the hostage and try to free him.'' The Taliban seized two Germans and five Afghans in the Wardak province earlier this month. The body of one of the Germans was found with bullet wounds, but the other German and four Afghans were still being held by the Taliban.

One of the Afghan captives managed to escape.

The insurgents have demanded the release of 10 Taliban prisoners held by the Afghan government and the withdrawal of German troops from Afghanistan in exchange for the hostages' freedom.

Merkel has previously said Berlin would not give in to the kidnappers' demands.

Reuters RN DB1850