COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, WORLD NEWS: Philippine negotiators are expected to meet soon with Abu Sayyaf rebels who are holding 21 people seized from a Malaysian resort. The government wants to end the ordeal peacefully but says it won't cave in to rebel demands for an independent state. CNN's Chris Riker has more.</s>CHRIS RIKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A jungle food delivery for 21 hostages held for more than six weeks. The hungry and tired captives welcomed the food. But the sacks of rice and vegetables are a sign the Abu Sayyaf rebels plan on keeping them around a while longer. One hostage says the better conditions get, the more impatient they become.</s>RISTO JAHANEN, FINNISH HOSTAGE: During the past weeks, we have been better. As you said, the conditions are a bit better. But mentally, it's really been hard because we have been hearing rumors on the news and so on.</s>RIKER: The hostages have letters and books to read, a lifeline to their world before the kidnapping. Still, news from home takes a back seat to news about the negotiations.</s>MARIE MOARBES, LEBANESE HOSTAGE: We hope that this will be soon because it's been, like Risto said, seven weeks now, and it's getting to the end of the seventh week. So let's hope negotiations will go on quickly, and they will meet all the demands and that they will get us out.</s>RIKER: The rebels and the government have held only one negotiating session since April 23, the day the hostages were snatched from a diving resort in nearby Malaysia. The time in captivity is taking a toll. Several hostages have threatened suicide, and four reportedly are in urgent need of medical care.</s>WERNER WALLERT, GERMAN HOSTAGE: Mental problems definitely and physical problems, too. But 20 of us, I think, can cope with the situation. My wife cannot.</s>RIKER: In the meantime, all the hostages can do is write home and wait. Chris Riker, CNN.
Philippine Hostages Receive Welcome Food Delivery