BUCHAREST, March 30 (Xinhuanet) -- The US government is working closely with Romania to try to secure the release of three Romanian journalists and a US citizen kidnapped in Iraq, visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said Wednesday.

    Zoellick told a news conference after talks with Romanian Foreign Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu in Bucharest that a US citizen was kidnapped along with the three Romanians on Monday but declined to supply the abductee's name or occupation.

    Romanian state news agency Rompres identified the American as Mohammad Munaf, a businessman.

    The US diplomat praised Romania for sending 800 soldiers to Iraq saying Romania was "a reliable partner and a special ally" to Washington.

    Ungureavu said the two discussed bilateral relations, Romania's domestic policy, the situation in the Black Sea region and other issues.

    Zoellick arrived in the Romanian capital Wednesday morning as part of a week-long tour to 14 European nations, his first trip abroad since taking on his new position in January.

    The Bucharest-based Prima TV said its reporter Marie-Jeanne Ion, cameraman Sorin Dumitru Miscoci and reporter Ovidiu Ohanesian from the daily Romania Libera were abducted in Baghdad on Monday.

    The Romanian government has vowed to do its utmost to save the lives of the three Romanians. A crisis unit comprising relevant agencies and ministries was quickly set up Tuesday to deal with the problem.

    President Traian Basescu said Wednesday that authorities were currently working in Romania and abroad to try to free the three.

    "We are doing and will do all we can with intelligence, with discretion... to maximize the chances of resolving the case," Basescu told reporters after attending a meeting with government ministers.

    Private television station Realitatea TV reported that a negotiator on Wednesday left for Iraq via the Jordanian capital Amman to try to ensure the release of the three.

    But there is no official confirmation on the report.

    The kidnapping took place just after Romanian President Traian Basescu's Sunday visit to the Romanian soldiers serving in Iraq, during which the president announced a reinforcement of 100 soldiers to the country. Enditem