WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush and visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai have agreed to make no concession for the release of 21 South Korean hostages seized by the Taliban last month, the White House said Monday.

U.S. President George W. Bush (L) and first lady Laura Bush (R) welcome Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to the Presidential retreat, Camp David, outside of Thurmont Maryland, for a two-day visit, Aug. 5, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    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," U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

    The White House official made the remarks after Bush and Karzai held a two-day talks at Camp David, Maryland.

    The U.S.-Afghanistan summit focused on issues like the release of 21 surviving South Korean hostages, combat the aggressive Taliban insurgency and rein in Afghanistan's flourishing opium poppy trade.

U.S., Afghan leaders pledge to continue anti-terror war

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush and visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai vowed on Monday to continue their efforts to fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.

   They have agreed to make no concession for the release of 21 South Korean hostages seized by the Taliban last month, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. Full story

Bush welcomes Afghan President Karzai

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush welcomed Afghan President Hamid Karzai who arrived at Camp David, a presidential retreat of the United States on Sunday.

    The two leaders are expected to discuss some issues of mutual interests including the war on terror, counter narcotics and the U.S. contribution towards rebuilding of the post-Taliban Afghanistan. Full story