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DATE=5/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES L-ONLY
NUMBER=2-262366
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The test of wills between the Philippine 
government and Islamic rebels, holding 21 hostages, 
continues to drag on, with both sides issuing new 
demands to be met ahead of talks.  As Patricia Nunan 
reports from Manila official negotiations between the 
two sides will not resume until Wednesday at the 
earliest.
TEXT: Rebels from the Abu Sayyaf - or bearer of the 
sword - guerrilla group say they want to meet face-to-
face with top officials from the Philippines armed 
forces and national police before negotiations can 
proceed. The group also wants the complete cessation 
of all military activities on the southern island of 
Jolo. It has also called for unrestricted travel for 
guerrilla leaders so that they can participate in the 
talks.  
The Abu Sayyaf group has been holding 21 hostages on 
the island of Jolo since it raided a Malaysian resort 
island three weeks ago.  
The Philippine government has some requirements of its 
own. It wants a clear list of demands from the Abu 
Sayyaf for the hostages' freedom. So far various rebel 
chiefs have been making a series of sometimes 
contradictory demands.  
One of the government's top negotiators, presidential 
advisor, Robert Aventajado, is in Manila to meet with 
President Joseph Estrada.  Mr. Aventajado says he 
expects formal talks to open with the Abu Sayyaf 
Wednesday.
            /// AVENTAJADO ACT ///
We are identifying the venue for the meeting.  They 
want this venue to be free of army soldiers, of 
course.  They will submit to us during the meeting 
their written detailed demands.  And they're willing 
to sit down and discuss seriously for two to three 
days.
            /// END ACT ///
The Abu Sayyaf group is fighting for an independent 
Islamic state.  But previous hostage crises involving 
the rebels have been resolved through money.
Meanwhile another separatist group, the Moro Islamic 
Liberation Front or M-I-L-F, has announced it will 
withdraw from a highway it has been occupying in 
southern Mindanao province.
The move is considered key to jumpstarting peace talks 
with the government after the M-I-L-F left the 
negotiating table last month. The M-I-L-F has been 
fighting for independence for more than 30 years. 
(Signed)
NEB/PN/JO
15-May-2000 08:14 AM EDT (15-May-2000 1214 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.