Philippines rules out Muslim state

The government promises help for the impoverished region

Philippine negotiators trying to free 21 mostly-foreign hostages held by Muslim gunmen have said they will not give in to the kidnappers' main demand.

Chief negotiator Roberto Aventajado told Reuters news agency that the Abu Sayyaf rebels could derail talks by insisting on an independent Muslim homeland.

Rebels have built permanent shelters for their captives

The two sides have held only one formal negotiating session since the hostages were seized from a Malaysian diving resort on 23 April and taken to the southern Philippines.

Negotiators said they hoped to resume talks on Friday.

"If they insist on their original demand, that would be a deal-breaker. We want to clarify their position," Reuters quoted Mr Aventajado as saying.

"We will look for a common ground."

The negotiators have promised economic aid for the impoverished area and are pushing for the release of four sick hostages.

A doctor who recently visited the hostages said they were suffering from a range of medical ailments, including depression, infections and a scorpion bite. Four of them required hospital treatment, she said.

Hard to cope

On Thursday, the hostages vented their frustration at the delay in negotiations and the lack of reliable information.

Hostages list supplies after an aid delivery

"It's difficult for us to cope with this situation," Werner Wallert, whose wife is one of the four sick hostages, told reporters visiting the camp where they are being held on the remote island of Jolo.

"We have been kept as hostages for such a long time, creating mental problems definitely and physical problems, too," he said.

Mr Aventajado said he would not join other negotiators due to meet the Abu Sayyaf guerrilla leader on Friday, but he would join the resumption of formal talks on Saturday.

One rebel leader has issued a demand for three more people, including a professor of Islamic studies and a retired general, to be added to the government negotiating team.

President Joseph Estrada has ordered negotiators to make substantial progress by 12 June, Philippine independence day, one negotiator said on Thursday.