No hostage negotiations, UK says
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Britain is ready to listen to kidnappers holding hostage Ken Bigley in Iraq but is not prepared to negotiate with them or pay them a ransom, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said.
"We have a policy which we adhere to strictly and always, that we don't negotiate with hostage takers ... about for example paying ransoms or, in this case, about the release of ... two women prisoners," Straw told GMTV television.
"But we also want Mr. Bigley released so, were the hostage takers to get in touch with us, we would obviously listen to what they have to say. That in no sense undermines our position.
"It may be that they are saying things which are consistent with our position which can nonetheless secure Mr. Bigley's release," said Straw, who urged the kidnappers to make contact.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that if Bigley's kidnappers made contact, "it would be something we would immediately respond to." (Full story)
Bigley was kidnapped from his Baghdad home September 16 with two Americans.
The Americans have been beheaded, and videos of the killings were posted on the Internet.
On Wednesday, an Arabic-language news channel broadcast video of Bigley caged behind bars.
The Unification and Jihad group, led by al Qaeda militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings of Bigley and the two Americans.
Meanwhile, Blair was set to face the anger of rank and file members of his Labour Party over the Iraq war Thursday, as party officials tried to head off a motion calling for British troops to quit the country.
Observers say the last day of Labour's annual conference in the southern English resort of Brighton is shaping up to be the most uncomfortable for Blair, who has already seen Iraq dominate a gathering intended to re-focus attention onto domestic issues.
Straw and UK Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon are set to address the conference, before delegates debate Britain's role in Iraq.
Anti-war delegates are pushing for a vote on a motion calling on Blair to set an early date to recall British troops from Iraq. The vote would be nonbinding, but analysts say it could be humiliating for the government.
