The government remains hopeful about the fate of two French hostages in Iraq but does not want to jeopardize their release by talking about it too much, an official said Monday. "We still want to believe that their liberation will come as soon as possible,"Culture and Communications Minster Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres told France-2 television. But, he added, "We have to be very cautious." Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot disappeared 17 days ago on a trip to the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. --MORE 1058 Local Time 0758 GMT