State Department Noon Briefing, October 3, 2000
STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING
BRIEFER: PHILIP REEKER, DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN
STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM,
WASHINGTON, D.C. 1:05 P.M. EDT
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2000
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Q: Phil, this assault by Philippine military on Jolo, have you got
anything in your book about that that you'd like to say? I understand
three hostages have been released by the pursuit of the Philippine
military, but is this a safe approach?
MR. REEKER: I'm just not sure if we're looking at all the same
reports. There could be - are those very recent reports you're talking
about, because the last round of reports I was familiar with was the
release of 12 evangelists who are now free from captivity. I believe
that was really news yesterday.
Q: That's correct. That's what I've got. And then --
MR. REEKER: Our position is certainly that all of the remaining
hostages should be released immediately, safely and unconditionally.
And we remain in close touch with the Philippines, which is in charge
of the military operation, which is still currently going on against
the Abu Sayyaf group. But obviously it's inappropriate to comment
further when the operation is still ongoing, so we'll just have to
leave it at that.
(The briefing was concluded at 1:35 P.M.)
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