Diplomats seek access to jailed Christians

Western diplomats have arrived in Kabul to plead for the release of their jailed nationals, accused by the ruling Taliban of preaching Christianity.

The Taliban have already told the diplomats they will not be allowed to visit the jailed aid workers - two Americans, four Germans and two Australians - who have been imprisoned for more than a week.

In a meeting with the Taliban's protocol officer, the diplomats from the US, Germany and Australia were shown Christian-related material, confiscated from the eight workers of Shelter Now International.

The aid organisation is run by the German-based Christian group Vision for Asia.

But the diplomats are pressing for access to their nationals.

"We just kept asking to see the detainees," said David Donahue, an official from the US Embassy in neighbouring Pakistan. "The Taliban said they would consider our request and now we are just waiting for an answer."

The Taliban's Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil, who had not met the diplomats, said the Government had not changed its mind and no meeting between the diplomats and the jailed aid workers is likely to be held.

The eight foreigners are among 24 employees of Shelter Now International who were arrested after the Taliban seized Christian material from their offices.

The material was translated into Afghanistan's local languages.