WASHINGTON _ The United States on Tuesday affirmed its policy not to negotiate with terrorists, a day after a second South Korean hostage was found killed in Afghanistan.
Although in keeping with longstanding U.S. policy, the statement contravenes the Taliban kidnappers' demands for an exchange of the hostages with its own prisoners held by the Afghan government.
"It remains U.S. policy not to make concessions to terrorists," said Tom Casey, deputy spokesman of the Department of State, in a daily press briefing. "Again, the policy as written over the past 20 years or so is to not make concessions to terrorists and that remains our view."
But the U.S. denounced the killing of two South Korean hostages, expressing symphathy for those involved.
"We certainly have great sympathy for South Korea and for the people that are involved in this incident. This is a terrible incident. They should be let go. We want to see them let go as soon as possible."
He revealed no concrete measures the U.S. has been considering on the hostage crisis,
only saying, " We're certainly keeping in close touch with the Government of South Korea, as well as with the Afghan Government and coordinating to the extent that we can."
"But frankly, under the circumstances, we are going to continue with our policy of not really commenting in any detail on the issue since again, it's a very delicate situation and we want to make sure nothing is done that would endanger the lives of those individuals."
"We understand this is a very difficult situation," he told reporters, "the most important thing for us is seeing that these individuals be released and be allowed to return home."
"I think it's just again representative of the viciousness of the Taliban that they are engaged in this."
Casey repeatedly maintained no changes in U.S. position on kidnappers. "I don't see any indication that we're going to be changing that any time soon."