DATE=7/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PHILIPPINES HOSTAGE RELEASE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264848
BYLINE=KONRAD MULLER
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In the southern Philippines, gunmen from the
Islamic extremist Abu Sayyaf group have released
another captive, a German journalist. As Konrad
Muller reports from Manila, the move occurs as
government negotiators remain hopeful further releases
will follow soon.
TEXT: The circumstances surrounding the freeing of
Andreas Lorenz are still unclear. He was released
Thursday after 25 days in captivity which he described
as the worst ordeal in his life.
It was the second time the journalist from Der Spiegel
magazine had been abducted while covering the brutal
and at times bizarre hostage crisis that has ensued on
Jolo island, ever since 21 mainly foreigners were
first abducted from a Malaysian diving resort on April
23rd this year.
Earlier Mr. Lorenz had been among ten journalists
working for German media who paid 25 thousand dollars
to the Abu Sayyaf after being briefly detained and
threatened with a beheading in June.
Of the original set of hostages, six Malaysians and
one German have also been released in recent weeks,
allegedly for some four million dollars. But the
Philippine government has repeatedly
denied paying any ransom, as has Malaysia and Germany.
About 32 captives remain in the jungles of Jolo
island, one thousand kilometers south of Manila. The
remaining 14 people abducted from Malaysia are joined
by 13 Christian evangelists from the so-called Jesus
Miracle Crusade, and five journalists.
Philippine government negotiators appear hopeful of
further progress soon.
Rajab Azzarouq, a former Libyan Ambassador to the
Philippines, said Thursday a deal was near that could
lead to the release of the western hostages. He
refused to disclose details, but intimated a role for
the Gaddafi foundation which is involved in
development in the impoverished Philippine south.
The Abu Sayyaf are said to be demanding one million
dollars for every western hostage, and around 330
thousand for each Malaysian and Filipino.
NEB/HK/KM/GC/PLM
27-Jul-2000 07:30 AM EDT (27-Jul-2000 1130 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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