DATE=4/28/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261808
BYLINE=MICHAEL COHEN
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Rebels holding 21 hostages in the southern
Philippines are demanding direct negotiations with
governments around the world before they will consider
releasing their captives. Michael Cohen reports from
Manila on the latest developments in the hostage
crisis.
TEXT: Even as negotiators in the Philippines Province
of Jolo report progress in their talks with the Abu
Sayyaf rebels, the rebels themselves are issuing new
threats against their captives.
A rebel commander identified as Galib Andang told a
Mindanao television reporter Friday that his group is
demanding direct talks with officials of governments
representing the hostages. And if such negotiations
are not begun quickly, he said, at least one of the
hostages would be killed.
Specifically, the rebel spokesman mentioned the
governments of France, South Africa, Lebanon,
Malaysia, and Finland. He said those governments
should contact the Abu Sayyaf group as soon as
possible to negotiate the release of their citizens
being held by the rebels.
Mr. Andang then backed up his demands by allowing one
of the hostages -- a South African identified as Carel
Strydom -- to appeal directly to the Philippine
government to stop its military offensive against
rebels in the region.
Special forces units of the Philippine army are
reportedly in the process of surrounding suspected
rebel positions in Jolo Province.
The rebels seized the hostages last weekend from a
resort island in Malaysia. (SIGNED)
NEB/MC/JP
28-Apr-2000 13:13 PM EDT (28-Apr-2000 1713 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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