U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING Briefer: Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2000, 1:42 P.M. (ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED) QUESTION: Can you tell us what you know about the American who has been seized in the Philippines? MR. REEKER: Yes. We understand that an emissary of the Filipino secretary who has been the Philippine's chief negotiator for the release of other hostages held by a faction of the Abu Sayyaf group on Jolo Island has reported that he has seen Jeffrey Schilling on Jolo Island in the hands of another faction of the Abu Sayyaf group. So the United States strongly condemns this latest kidnapping and we call for the immediate safe and unconditional release of this hostage and the other hostages still held captive as well on the Island of Jolo. Our Embassy became aware of this situation early this morning local time in the Philippines when there was a radio report that reported or discussed the kidnapping of an American citizen. Our Embassy consular and security officials immediately were in touch with Filipino authorities in Manila, and our Embassy continues to work very closely and intensely with the appropriate authorities in the Philippines to try to determine all the facts in terms of this case, and we're taking the appropriate action, including sending several Embassy officials to Zamboanga on the Island of Mindanao where they can meet with the local Filipino authorities to discuss this. Obviously there are Privacy Act considerations in terms of the individual who has been reported kidnapped and the family there. We are trying to be in touch with the family as well. QUESTION: Any -- (inaudible) - his condition? MR. REEKER: I don't have any details of his condition. As I said, we have sent officials to work with the Philippines to look into this. Now, I think yesterday I made very clear our position on hostages. The United States does not makes deals with terrorists, and this organization, the Abu Sayyaf group, is an organization which is listed in our Patterns of Global Terrorism as one of the radical Islamic separatist groups operating in the southern Philippines. QUESTION: On that point, the Libyans have now - whose actions in securing the release of the six hostages the other day, you have said you disagree with it and this Department has said it disagrees with, have offered, or said that they are willing to mediate in this case to secure Mr. Schilling's release. I'm wondering, is such assistance or such mediation welcome by the United States? MR. REEKER: I have seen those same reports, and I would just refer you to what I said yesterday and what I said just now; that, as we have said before, the US Government wants to see an end to this ordeal and the release of all the hostages immediately and unconditionally. We support efforts by negotiators to find a quick resolution. We are extremely concerned about the safety of all the hostages, and obviously look forward to their release. But, again, as far as paying ransom is concerned, US policy is very clear: We do not make deals with terrorists; we will not pay ransom; we will not change policies; we will not release prisoners or make any other concessions that reward hostage-taking. QUESTION: Right. But, okay, how about if the Libyans said that they're willing to mediate and they promise not to pay any ransom in this case. MR. REEKER: Well, again -- QUESTION: I'm trying to find out if you're willing to accept the help of Libya in any form short of what you just said. MR. REEKER: I think it's premature to make any specific statements on any requests or offers or issues specifically involving the case because we're trying to determine all the facts. We have seen these reports involving Libya's apparently positive role in other Filipino hostage situations. And as I said, we support efforts by negotiators, whomever they may be, to find a quick resolution to this case. We are extremely concerned about the safety of this individual reported to be kidnapped, and all of the hostages, and look forward to their release. QUESTION: In light of this kidnapping, how concerned is the State Department about the safety level of the Philippines for US citizens? MR. REEKER: Well, I think all of you will be aware that we have a Public Announcement in place as part of our consular information system which highlights some of the issues and specifically tells American citizens to avoid travel to the southern and western areas of the Island of Mindanao. And I can provide you copies of that, or you can find it on our website. I think this highlights the dangers that we outlined and have showed in those announcements for American citizens, and certainly the tragic kidnappings that have been taking place over a period of months and have been highlighted in the press make people quite aware of that. QUESTION: Do you know when that last Public Announcement was updated? MR. REEKER: I believe June 8th was the most recent update of that. And obviously given the current situation, they may be updating it to include information on this specific incident that does involve reportedly an American citizen. QUESTION: So can you tell us nothing more about this gentleman and why he was there and why he was traveling to the Philippines? And also, can you rule out whether he was working for the US Government? MR. REEKER: In terms of your last question, it is longstanding US policy not to comment on such questions in terms of employment. But more generally, we have seen his name reported and, at this point, we are operating on the presumption that this individual, an American citizen, has been kidnapped. But in terms of providing more information about that individual, we are just not in a position to do so given the Privacy Act considerations. Obviously that individual is not in a position to do Privacy Act waivers, but we are trying to be in touch with his family, with the next of kin, and it would just be inappropriate at this point to give any information about the individual. QUESTION: There has been some confusion about the circumstances under which he came to be in their control. There have been reports that he was looking for these people, and there are also reports that he was snatched. Do you all have any information? MR. REEKER: I have seen all those reports, and I don't have anything more specific on why he was in the area, other than to point out the warnings that we have in terms of our Public Announcement. Those are the kind of facts that I think our Embassy team, working with the Filipino authorities, will be trying to establish as they continue to look at this. QUESTION: Have they talked to his wife? MR. REEKER: I am not aware of the particulars of whether the individual even has a wife. I do believe there are parents involved as well that the Embassy and the State Department have tried to be in contact with in our usual consular response to notify next of kin. QUESTION: I have one more. Are you aware of any demands being made by the rebels in order to secure his release? MR. REEKER: I have seen a number of reports to that effect, including the initial media report that brought this to our attention, which was monitored by our press staff at the Embassy in the Philippines and what then had our Embassy officials responding immediately and working closely with the Filipino officials. But I am not in the position to outline or confirm any specifics from that organization or what they have reported to be demanding. (The briefing was concluded at 2:40 P.M.)
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