DATE=8/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=HOSTAGES / LIBYA (L)
NUMBER=2-265949
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Six western hostages released by Muslim rebels
in the Philippines have been handed over to officials
from their respective governments and are expected to
return home soon. V-O-A Middle East Correspondent
Scott Bobb reports the hand-over occurred in Libya,
which negotiated their release and broadcast the
ceremony on its television station.
TEXT: The six former hostages sat in arm chairs
appearing relaxed and rested after their ordeal as
they were welcomed by Libyan negotiator, Rajab
Azzarouq, and formally handed over to their
governments.
The former captives include three French citizens, a
German, and two South Africans.
South Africa's Foreign Minister Nkosazan Dlamini-Zuma
was among the diplomats present at the ceremony.
/// DLAMINI-ZUMA ACT ///
Today is a very happy day for us. I would like
to bring you a word of appreciation from our
president, from our government, and from the
people of South Africa.
/// END ACT ///
She praised the Libyan negotiators for their work, as
did senior diplomats from France and Germany who also
spoke at the ceremony.
The former hostages expressed relief and thanks for
their freedom, but they recalled that some of their
friends were still being held by the Philippine
rebels.
They were part of a group of 21 people seized last
April at a resort in Malaysia. Some of the other
hostages had been released earlier. And, the rebels
have promised to release the remaining captives next
week, although a spokesman has since announced the
kidnapping of another foreigner.
Sources say Libya agreed to fund development projects
in the impoverished southern Philippines, but critics
say it paid ransoms of one-million dollars for each of
the hostages.
Tuesday's ceremony took place against the backdrop of
a former palace of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi that
was bombed by U-S warplanes 14 years ago. The attack
was in retaliation for alleged Libyan involvement in
the bombing of a discotheque in Berlin.
Posters at the facility, which has been preserved as a
monument, denounced then- U-S President Ronald Reagan
and then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for
the attack. Nevertheless, a spokesman for the Libyan
Foreign Ministry said Libya would not hesitate to
help save human lives, be they Americans or Europeans.
Following the ceremony, the former hostages signed the
guest book and were given a tour of the bombed-out
palace. (Signed)
NEB/SB/JWH/JP
29-Aug-2000 11:55 AM LOC (29-Aug-2000 1555 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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