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DATE=9/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LIBYA / PHILIPPINES HOSTAGES (L)
NUMBER=2-266397
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Four hostages released last Saturday by rebels 
in the southern Philippines have been handed over to 
their government representatives.  The handover took 
place in Libya, which mediated the release, as we hear 
from Correspondent Scott Bobb in our Middle East 
Bureau (in Cairo).
TEXT:  The former hostages were handed over Tuesday 
afternoon in downtown Tripoli, before a small group 
headed by the son of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.
The former hostages appeared rested but drawn after 
their ordeal.  They include two citizens of Finland, 
one German and one Frenchman.  They were abducted 
during a diving vacation in Malaysia more than four 
months ago
Finland's Foreign Minister Erkko Tuomioja [pron: `EHR-
koe `TWOE-mee-oh-yah], thanked Libya for arranging the 
release, and especially its chief negotiator, Rajab 
Azzarouq. 
                  /// TUOMIOJA ACT ///
      The government of Finland resolutely condemns 
      hostage-taking for any reason or motivation as 
      totally unacceptable and repulsive, and as a 
      breach of international law.  There can be no 
      justification whatsoever for such an act of 
      terrorism.
                   /// END ACT ///
However, the Finnish official says the practice has 
become all too common, and he urged governments around 
the world to cooperate to end it.
A spokesman for the former hostages, Mirco Vahanen, 
said members of his group were happy their release 
came about through peaceful means.
                  /// VAHANEN ACT ///
      Though we were abducted, violated, we felt a 
      military solution is not the right way to solve 
      this problem.
                   /// END ACT ///
Mr. Vahanen recalled that there are still hostages in 
captivity in the Philippines.  He said his group is 
worried about them, and pleaded for their speedy 
release.
Tuesday's was the second such ceremony in Libya.  Six 
hostages were formally handed over to their 
governments two weeks ago, after the first successful 
Libyan mediation.
Libyan negotiator Azzarouq says he expects some of the 
other hostages to be released in the coming days.
The rebel group continues to hold in various locations 
two French journalists, a U-S citizen and one 
Philippine hostage.  On Sunday they also seized three 
new captives, from Malaysia, leading the Philippine 
government to warn it might launch a military 
operation against the rebels.   (Signed) 
NEB/FSB/WTW/FC 
12-Sep-2000 11:12 AM EDT (12-Sep-2000 1512 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.