DATE=5/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262272
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Talks between government negotiators and
Islamic rebels holding 21 hostages in the
southern Philippines appear to have stalled. As
Patricia Nunan reports from the southern
Philippines city of Zamboanga, the rebels have
rejected dealing with government negotiators and
want new officials to be brought in.
TEXT: A spokesman for the Abu Sayyaf -- or
"Bearer of the Sword" -- guerrillas says his
group wants new negotiators brought in to discuss
the fate of the 21 mostly foreign hostages. The
government-approved negotiating team now consists
of the former Libyan ambassador to the
Philippines, an adviser to the Philippines
president, and a local Muslim leader.
The rebels say they want the current Libyan
ambassador to the Philippines involved in the
talks. The group also wants ambassadors from
each of the hostages' countries, as well as
officials from the United Nations and some
Islamic countries to participate.
The Abu Sayyaf group abducted 21 people from the
Malaysian resort island of Sipadan almost three
weeks ago. /// OPT /// The group is made up of
nine Malaysians, three Germans, two French, two
South Africans, two Finns, two Filipinos and a
Lebanese. /// END OPT /// They are being held on
the southern Philippines island of Jolo.
Negotiators say their priority is to secure the
release of a German woman who is suffering from a
heart condition and a French man who has also
become sick. But a possible release Thursday was
ruined when Philippines troops patrolled too
close to the area where the hostages are being
held.
Brigadier General Albert Braganza says that
ground commanders were trying to reposition their
troops, and had no intention of thwarting
release efforts.
/// BRAGANZA ACT ///
Well it was accidental that the troops were
there in the (area where the)reported
arrangements (were)being made. But the
deployment of our forces was not designed
to disrupt any ongoing negotiations.
/// END ACT ///
The general also admits that the Abu Sayyaf
rebels managed to slip through a military cordon
to bring the hostages deeper into the mountains
of Jolo.
Government officials have dismissed reports that
the guerrillas are seeking a ransom of up to 17-
hundred dollars per hostage, asserting that the
demand was never made.
The Philippines government says it will not pay
any ransom. However, previous hostage crises
have been resolved through so-called payments for
"board and lodging" of hostages seized by the Abu
Sayyaf. (SIGNED)
NEB/PN/JO/KL
12-May-2000 07:55 AM EDT (12-May-2000 1155 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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