The United States has urged the world to stand up to the abductors in Iraq. Three Indians, along with three Kenyans and one Egyptian, have been abducted

While expressing disappointment over Philippines' decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq after  kidnapping of one of its national, the United States praised Bulgaria for standing up to kidnappers in the war-torn nation.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said at a joint appearance with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy after their meeting, "We were deeply saddened that two Bulgarians were recently kidnapped, one of whom we know was cruelly murdered, dismembered; the other we are still waiting to ascertain  the fate of the individual."

Powell said "I compliment Bulgaria for standing fast and we were very disappointed in the actions of the Philippine government. I am pleased that the Filipino gentleman was returned home safely but I think a very high price was paid for the policy position that the Filipino government took."

"In effect, the kidnappers were rewarded for kidnapping. They were paid off. They made a demand, a political demand against the Philippine government, which they decided it had to meet. And when you start meeting the demands of kidnappers, I think you are going down a very bad and slippery slope, which incentivises kidnappings."

Calling for a code of conduct to stand up to kidnappers and terrorists, he said, "Can kidnapping be rewarded? Can kidnappers be dealt with? Or is the correct response is we will not reward kidnappers because it can only be seen as a reward that might well lead to future kidnappings?"

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"And the Philippines nation, the Philippine people, are  allies of the US, friends of US, but friends can have  disagreements and those disagreements have to be worked out," he added.

One of the three Indian hostages in Iraq today had said yesterday that they were being held captives as their abductors thought that they were helping Americans.

Television channels showed a new tape in which Tilak Raj is heard as saying that they were forcibly sent to Iraq.

"We are three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian," he said. "We are being given food and water and we are sitting comfortably."

"Hamare ko pakad ke rakha hai ki hum America ka saath de rahen hain. Hamari gaadiyan bhi chheen lee hain (we have been held hostages because they think we are helping Americans. They have taken away our vehicles also)," he said.