UK cannot meet Iraq kidnappers' demands: Straw

[Barrett808]

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain cannot meet the demands of kidnappers holding a British man and three other Western aid workers hostage, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw said on Wednesday.

"We are aware of these so-called demands which no government could meet," Straw told reporters before meeting other EU foreign ministers to discuss the European Union budget.

"I am afraid I have nothing further to report. We work and we pray for a satisfactory outcome," he said.

Norman Kember of Britain plus two Canadians and an American were kidnapped on November 26 in Baghdad where they were working with a Christian peace group.

An Iraqi group calling itself the "Swords of Truth" has threatened to kill the hostages unless Iraqi detainees are released by Thursday.

Straw said Britain was "always ready to listen" if the hostage-takers had anything to communicate to the government.

"This is an appalling time for Mrs. Kember and my heart is with her and her family," he said. "We are doing all we can in what is a desperate situation for Mr. Kember."

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