WASHINGTON, Oct 6: The White House on Saturday reiterated its position that the US would not negotiate with the Taliban, thus effectively rejecting the regime’s statement offering to release eight foreign aid workers if Washington ended its “propaganda” about the military action.

The offer about the aid workers, who are on trial for allegedly preaching Christianity, was made by the Taliban envoy in Islamabad.

In his weekly Saturday radio broadcast also, President George Bush again criticized the Taliban and warned that the time was running out for them.

He said the Taliban had turned Afghanistan “into a sanctuary and training ground for international terrorists — terrorists who have killed innocent citizens of many nations, including our own.

“He said the Taliban promoted terror abroad, and practised terror against their people, oppressing women and persecuting all who dissented. The Taliban have been given the opportunity to surrender all the terrorists in Afghanistan and to close down their camps and operations. “Full warning has been given, and time is running out.”

The president repeated the US emphasis on separating the Taliban from ordinary Afghans, saying the Afghan people were victims of oppression, famine and misrule.

“America respects the Afghan people, their long tradition and their proud independence. And we will help them in this time of confusion and crisis in their country.”