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DATE=6/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES / HOSTAGES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263382
BYLINE=KONRAD MULLER
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: As the hostage drama in the southern 
Philippines entered a tortuous 51st day, negotiations 
to free the 21 mainly foreigners are deadlocked. As 
Konrad Muller reports from Manila, the cause of the 
impasse seems to be the financial demands of their 
abductors -- the Islamic extremist Abu Sayyaf group.
TEXT: President Joseph Estrada had asked his 
negotiating team to make substantial headway in the 
hostage crisis by June 12th -- Philippine Independence 
Day. It was not to be, and senior officials admitted 
Monday that no breakthrough was in sight.
The Philippines government says it now needs a few 
days to study the guerrillas' latest demand. 
Abu Sayyaf leaders now want Roberto Aventajado to be 
replaced as the government's chief negotiator. The 
demand comes after Mr. Aventajado commented that 
Manila could not entirely rule out a military rescue 
operation.  President Estrada's spokesman suggests the 
latest rebel demand may be just a delaying tactic. 
Officials say that what the Abu Sayyaf really wants is 
money. Manila has ruled out a cash payment, and the 
government's negotiating panel publicly insists no 
such demands have been made. 
Nevertheless, sources have disclosed to the media that 
in talks Friday, Abu Sayyaf leaders sought 15 million 
dollars as a collective ransom payment. This is said 
to be critical in delaying the release of the 21 
hostages now held since 23 April on the southern 
Philippine island of Jolo.
But the Abu Sayyaf says its main aim is something 
Manila has ruled out as impossible: the creation of an 
Islamic state in the south of this largely Roman 
Catholic country.
In an Independence Day speech Monday, President 
Estrada repeated his administration would do 
everything to prevent the country's dismemberment. 
NEB/HK/KM/GC/JO 
12-Jun-2000 05:53 AM EDT (12-Jun-2000 0953 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.