U.S. won't negotiate with al Qaeda on American hostage Warren Weinstein

(AP) WASHINGTON - The White House says the Obama administration does not and will not negotiate with al Qaeda even though it is concerned about the safety and well-being of a 70-year-old American aid worker kidnapped in Pakistan nine months ago.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the administration condemns the kidnapping of Warren Weinstein and called for his immediate release.

In a video released by al Qaeda, Weinstein said he would be killed unless President Barack Obama agrees to the group's demands.

U.S. man held by al Qaeda appeals to Obama

Carney said he did not believe the president had seen the video. He said the government would continue to make efforts to have Weinstein released.

A woman who answered the phone Monday at a number listed for Weinstein in Rockville, Md., said she had no comment when an Associated Press reporter identified herself. Phone messages left for Weinstein's relatives were not immediately returned.

Al Qaeda head wants prisoner swap for Weinstein
Video: Al Qaeda holding 70-year-old U.S. hostage
Al Qaeda: We have U.S. man kidnapped in Pakistan

Weinstein was abducted in August in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore after gunmen tricked his guards and broke into his home. He was the country director in Pakistan for J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S.-based firm that advises a range of Pakistani business and government sectors.

"It's important you accept the demands and act quickly and don't delay," Weinstein said in the video, addressing Obama. "There'll be no benefit in delaying. It will just make things more difficult for me."

Weinstein spoke while sitting down in front of a white background. He wore a white shalwar kameez, the loose-fitting clothing common in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Several books and what appeared to be a plate of food were set in front of him. Weinstein took several bites of food as he spoke.

He appealed to Obama as a father. If the president responds to the militants' demands, Weinstein said, "then I will live and hopefully rejoin my family and also enjoy my children, my two daughters, like you enjoy your two daughters."

The video was released by Al-Sahab, al Qaeda's media arm. It was first reported by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant messages.

After his kidnapping, Weinstein's company said he was in poor health and provided a detailed list of medications, many of them for heart problems, that it implored the kidnappers to give him.

In the video released Sunday, Weinstein said he would like his wife, Elaine, to know "I'm fine, I'm well, I'm getting all my medications, I'm being taken care of."

Mike Redwood, a friend of Weinstein's from Somerset, England, said he watched the video Monday morning and said he had mixed feelings. He said he was grateful that Weinstein is alive — or at least was alive when the undated video was shot — but remains dismayed to see his friend in such dire circumstances.

"He's more capable of withstanding these circumstances than anybody else I know," Redwood said, "But it doesn't take away from feeling really depressed at seeing him there."

He said he thought Weinstein's neutral delivery was appropriate under the circumstances.

"I think he said it in measured tones that indicate that while he's under duress and in captivity, he knows what he's doing and in control and capable of managing himself, which was always what you would expect of Warren," Redwood said.

Redwood said he hoped he could take Weinstein at his word that he was getting his medications and being treated well. He said the poor image quality of the video made it difficult to gauge his health.

Redwood, a leather industry consultant, met Weinstein when they worked together on a plan to enhance the Pakistani leather industry. He has not spoken to Weinstein's family.

[tmittelstaed]

How can you negotiate, for starters? The terrorists there don't honor promises. And if you paid them to let him go then the minute he gets back they just kidnap him again, and demand another payoff.

[melpol12]

Christian missionaries went to the black regions of Africa trying to help the heathens. Many wound up in kettles boiled and then eaten, it is now up to the Jews to enter the caves of Pakistan and teach the ignorant the art of merchandising. Many will die but they will be remembered for their noble sacrifice.

[smittyc]

Weinstein has probably lost his head by now. I am sure he knew he was a goner as soon as they kidnapped him. Future news reports will confirm this, that's the way our gov handles these situations. May he R.I.P.

[melpol12]

The Black Stone at Mecca must be seized by a swat team and placed in the Smithsonian Museum. It will be partially returned only after Weinstein is released.

[arkajun-2009]

Maybe we could have sent in Seal Team 6 to get him, but since their methods and details how than handle covert ops has been printed in every newspaper in the world, I guess you can scratch that idea.

Maybe Obamarama can as Karsai since they have become such good buddies lately or he might seek help from Putin since O said he would be more flexible

What's the difference between being buddies with these two and negotiation with terrorists?

[themanfrombrum]

"Carney said he did not believe the president had seen the video. He said the government would continue to make efforts to have Weinstein released."

THAT IS TERRIBLE! JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW MUCH A GOVERNMENT DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ITS CITIZENS.

[p_syrus]

If he's a civilian he should not expect any special treatment such as the u.s. government acquiescing to special demands from his kidnappers.

If he's NOT a civilian then he should not expect any special treatment such as the u.s. government acquiescing to special demands from his kidnappers.

His best bet is that the local authorities, aka the Pakistani government, will take the appropriate steps to free him from his captors. The prospect of that occurring is not in his favor.

[dougaal]

"By deception you will make war....." till you're caught!

[rainbowroosie]

Usually I do not support the President's decisions. This is a correct choice. Now, plan the Seal Team raid and attempt to rescue the hostage. Kill any bad guys you meet along the way.

[stevex47]

And I'm sure robme would do the opposite of Obama and negotiate. Historically, the teabirthers let them go, just like bin laden.

[stevex47]

You are absolutley correct sir, I do lump them all together. Just like the teabirthers do to the dems, or women, or immigrants or whoever their flavor of the month is to hate.

I may be stupid, but I have a great memory of boosh I, II, III. All catastrophic failures to America. Never again.