The government is considering offering Taliban kidnappers face-to-face hostage negotiations if an international nongovernmental organization, which enjoys respect in the Islamic world, serves as a go-between.

The government believes that mediation by the International Red Crescent, the equivalent to the Red Cross in Muslim countries, would cause fewer diplomatic problems than U.N. intervention.

Meanwhile, the government continues to maintain contact with the Taliban through the Afghan government, discussing intensively with the captors the agenda for any possible direct talks.

The government will draw up new strategies for hostage negotiations based on the results of a U.S.-Afghan summit in Washington, which come out Monday night.

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