DATE=7/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES (L)
NUMBER=2-264415
BYLINE=KONRAD MULLER
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In the southern Philippines, rebels from the
Islamic extremist group, Abu Sayyaf, have freed a
Malaysian hostage held with 19 others for almost 12
weeks. As Konrad Muller reports from Manila, the
development comes as European Foreign Ministers visit
Manila to urge a peaceful and rapid end to the crisis.
TEXT: Sometime before dawn Friday, Abdul Jawa
Selawat, a Malaysian policeman, was released from the
Abu Sayyaf stronghold on Jolo Island -- a rebel
bastion one-thousand kilometers south of Manila.
He is only the second person, both Malaysians, to be
freed of the 21 mainly foreign hostages abducted from
a Malaysian diving resort on April 23rd. Backdoor
talks have reportedly been pursued to secure the
release of the Malaysians held, of whom seven now
remain captive.
The other hostages seized nearly three months ago
include three Germans, two South Africans, two Finns,
two Filipinos, and a Lebanese.
They have since been joined by 13 Filipino Christian
evangelists from the so-called Jesus Miracle Crusade,
who were kidnapped while visiting the hostages to
pray. Three French journalists have also suffered the
same fate.
The mood of the original hostages seems to be fraying.
Risto Vahanen, a Finn, said, in a recent letter, their
mental condition was deteriorating. He warned suicide
was a risk.
In Manila Friday, visiting foreign ministers from
Germany, France and Finland conveyed their concern
that the crisis be settled peacefully, and soon.
President Joseph Estrada again reiterated the
Philippines would not resort to force.
But it is unclear how the impasse can be resolved
quickly. Previous talks have been stymied by the Abu
Sayyaf's difficult political demands, including the
creation of an Islamic state in the Philippine south.
Officials also say the rebels want one-million dollars
for each of the original hostages. Manila has a "no-
ransom" policy, as do France, Germany, and Finland.
NEB/HK/KM/JO/JP
14-Jul-2000 06:57 AM EDT (14-Jul-2000 1057 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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