US, Afghans agree no deal to Taliban on hostages

CAMP DAVID, Md., Aug 6 (Reuters) The United States and Afghanistan agreed that the Taliban should not get concessions for the release of 21 South Korean hostages seized by the Taliban last month, a White House official said today.

''Both leaders agreed that in negotiations for the release, there should be no quid pro quo for the hostages. The Taliban are brutal and should not be emboldened by this,'' White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said after US President George W Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai held a summit at Camp David.

REUTERS AE VC2216