No negotiation with Al Qaeda for release of Weinstein: US

The US officials on Monday made clear that they would not enter into any sort of negotiations on the demands made in the newly released video of a US national, Warren Weinstein, to secure his release from Al Qaeda.The White House spokesman, Jay Carney stated that the US administration was concerned about the safety of Mr. Weinstein, a 70-year old worker of a development agency abducted from Lahore in Pakistan last July. We condemn the kidnapping and call for his immediate release, he said adding that the US would continue to undertake efforts for his release.On another question about the video released by Al Qaeda, Carney said he did not believe the president had seen the video. In the said video, Warren Weinstein is shown wearing a traditional Pakistani dress and has pleaded for help saying that he would be killed unless President Barack Obama agrees to the demands of his kidnappers.On the other hand, the deputy spokesman of the US State Department, Mark Toner also rejected the possibility of giving in to the demands made in the video. As you know, we dont make concessions to terrorists, he said in a firm tone while saying that the authenticity of the released video was still being ascertained.When asked if the video proved that Mr Weinsein was still alive, Toner said the appropriate agencies were looking at this and trying to make a judgment on it. Taking this video for face value, yes. But we havent done the rigorous analysis I think that would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that its credible when its him, and that it would put a kind of time-date on it, he said.We cant even right now say for certain that its a credible video of him. I think analysis is ongoing about, you know, when it was taken and whether its a valid video or not of him, he went on to add.When asked if the US had any idea of where hes being held, the spokesperson said that it appeared to be the tribal area of Pakistan. We think hes probably or most likely being held in the tribal areas of Pakistan. But we dont have any way to confirm that, he observed. He refused to divulge any other details of the case adding that the investigations were still underway.We obviously remain very, very concerned about the safety and well-being of Mr. Weinstein. We have called and continue to call for his immediate release, and we continue to cooperate closely with Pakistani authorities on the ongoing investigation. And were obviously also in close contact with Mr Weinsteins family, offering appropriate consular assistance as they request it, he explained.On Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khars statement that she wanted Secretary Clinton or the United States to give evidence that Ayman al-Zawahri was in Pakistan following Secretary Clintons statement on the same matter, Toner was unaware that it had been formally communicated.You know where we are in our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan. We continue to view it as a threat to both our countries, and we want to take steps to work cooperatively with Pakistan, he stated.With respect to what Secretary Clinton said earlier today in India, you know, weve been very clear why our Rewards for Justice programme was put in place. We want to see this individual (Hafiz Saeed) brought to justice. You know, as you remember at the time, there was a lot of speculation on why we did this, because everyone knows hes in Pakistan. What we want to do is give the Pakistani authorities the judicial wherewithal to bring this guy to justice. You know, at the time we used the phrase -- and then continue to use evidence that can withstand judicial scrutiny. You know, whether hes tried in a Pakistani court or in a US court or wherever, we want to see him brought to justice, Toner explained.When asked what kind of pressure tactics Secretary Clinton was talking about when everything was already at a standstill and whether such statements would further rile up Pakistanis, Mark Toner disagreed. I dont think its fair to say right now that everythings at a standstill with Pakistan.Weve had a series of high-level meetings over the past month to two months that we believe is laying the groundwork for renewed cooperation. Weve had this parliamentary review completed. We had Ambassador Grossman over there talking to Pakistani officials. And our counterterrorism cooperation has continued throughout this period, he emphasised.We dont see eye to eye with Pakistan on every issue, thats for sure. But I think we approached, you know, the outcome of this parliamentary review with an open mind. I think were willing to discuss all the issues that were raised by it. But that dialogues really just begun, he stated in response to a question about the talks during Ambassador Grossmans visit ending in a stalemate.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC