DATE=5/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES SITREP (L UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-262639
BYLINE=KONRAD MULLER
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In the Philippines, Muslim rebels holding 21
hostages failed to show up for talks with government
negotiators on Monday, dealing another blow to efforts
to win the release of the hostages, who are entering
their fifth week of captivity. As Konrad Muller
reports from Manila, this latest setback is one in a
long series.
TEXT: Formal talks with the rebels have been
repeatedly delayed by skirmishes with government
forces, changes in the negotiating teams and
security arrangements for the meeting.
The hostage crisis and a series of violent
incidents and explosions have taken a toll on the
Philippine economy and investor confidence. The
country's stock exchange hit a new 19-month low
Monday, dropping four and a half percent.
Sunday, a bomb exploded at a cinema in Manila's
largest shopping complex, killing one person and
injuring 14. It was the second bombing of a
Manila mall in a week.
It is still not clear if the bombings are related
to the Islamic insurgency in the south of this
mostly Christian nation. Philippine Defense
Secretary Orly Mercado has suggested another
Muslim rebel group might be behind the terror.
However, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or M-
I-L-F, denies the charge.
Moreover, the M-I-L-F signaled a willingness
Monday to resume peace talks with Manila on May
30th. A fragile cease-fire appears to be holding
for the moment after some of the worst fighting
in the southern Mindanao region in recent years.
(Signed)
NEB/KM/JO/KL
22-May-2000 09:22 AM EDT (22-May-2000 1322 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
