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No deal on Korean hostages - Bush No deal on Korean hostages - Bush
(20 minutes later)
US President George W Bush and Afghan leader Hamid Karzai have agreed not to bargain with the Taleban over South Korean hostages, the White House said.US President George W Bush and Afghan leader Hamid Karzai have agreed not to bargain with the Taleban over South Korean hostages, the White House said.
A US presidential spokesman said there would be no "quid pro quo" over the 21 captives, after a news conference near Washington between the two leaders.A US presidential spokesman said there would be no "quid pro quo" over the 21 captives, after a news conference near Washington between the two leaders.
Two South Koreans from the abducted group have been killed by the Taleban, who demand a prisoner swap.Two South Koreans from the abducted group have been killed by the Taleban, who demand a prisoner swap.
The Korean hostages were seized on 19 July from a bus in Ghazni province.The Korean hostages were seized on 19 July from a bus in Ghazni province.
Following talks at Camp David, Maryland, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said: "Both leaders agreed that in negotiations for the release, there should be no quid pro quo for the hostages.Following talks at Camp David, Maryland, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said: "Both leaders agreed that in negotiations for the release, there should be no quid pro quo for the hostages.
"The Taleban are brutal and should not be emboldened by this.""The Taleban are brutal and should not be emboldened by this."
A man who claims to speak for the Taleban had earlier told the BBC that the hostages' fate was in the two leaders' hands.A man who claims to speak for the Taleban had earlier told the BBC that the hostages' fate was in the two leaders' hands.
"We know that Karzai and Bush will discuss this. If the exchange doesn't take place the responsibility of the hostages will be that of Karzai and Bush," Qari Yousaf said."We know that Karzai and Bush will discuss this. If the exchange doesn't take place the responsibility of the hostages will be that of Karzai and Bush," Qari Yousaf said.
A demonstrator in Seoul protests against US policy in AfghanistanHe also told the BBC the Taleban would continue its kidnapping policy whether or not there was an exchange.A demonstrator in Seoul protests against US policy in AfghanistanHe also told the BBC the Taleban would continue its kidnapping policy whether or not there was an exchange.
In Seoul, a South Korean presidential spokesman said the government wanted to "work separately" from the Bush-Karzai summit to resolve the issue.In Seoul, a South Korean presidential spokesman said the government wanted to "work separately" from the Bush-Karzai summit to resolve the issue.
"It is inappropriate to have any premature expectations or to overly interpret the summit," he said."It is inappropriate to have any premature expectations or to overly interpret the summit," he said.
About 100 protesters rallied near the US embassy in Seoul on Monday and handed in a letter addressed to Mr Bush.About 100 protesters rallied near the US embassy in Seoul on Monday and handed in a letter addressed to Mr Bush.
Civilian deathsCivilian deaths
At Camp David, Mr Bush and Mr Karzai presented a united front in their joint news conference and insisted progress was being made in Afghanistan.At Camp David, Mr Bush and Mr Karzai presented a united front in their joint news conference and insisted progress was being made in Afghanistan.
President Bush said five million children - a third of them girls - were now going to school.President Bush said five million children - a third of them girls - were now going to school.
President Karzai said 85,000 children aged under five were alive thanks to healthcare improvements made since the Taleban regime was toppled in 2001.President Karzai said 85,000 children aged under five were alive thanks to healthcare improvements made since the Taleban regime was toppled in 2001.
Mr Bush said to his ally: "There is still work to be done, don't get me wrong. But progress is being made, Mr President, and we're proud of you."Mr Bush said to his ally: "There is still work to be done, don't get me wrong. But progress is being made, Mr President, and we're proud of you."
Mr Karzai is concerned about the number of civilian casualtiesAfghan security was the key issue in the leaders' two-day meeting, as well as the booming trade in illegal drugs, the resurgent Taleban and civilian killings. Bush and Karzai discussed civilian casualtiesAfghan security was the key issue in the leaders' two-day meeting, as well as the booming trade in illegal drugs, the resurgent Taleban and civilian killings.
Mr Karzai said he had broached the subject of the growing number of civilians killed in coalition-led military operations in Afghanistan with the US leader.Mr Karzai said he had broached the subject of the growing number of civilians killed in coalition-led military operations in Afghanistan with the US leader.
He said: "I had a good discussion with President Bush on civilian casualties and I'm proud to tell you that President Bush felt very much with the Afghan people.He said: "I had a good discussion with President Bush on civilian casualties and I'm proud to tell you that President Bush felt very much with the Afghan people.
"He's much concerned as I am, as the Afghan people are.""He's much concerned as I am, as the Afghan people are."
Mr Karzai labelled the Islamist militants "merchants of death," who were prepared to use child suicide bombers. Mr Karzai labelled the Taleban "merchants of death," who were prepared to use child suicide bombers.