Peru hostage crisis: Deep differences between government and rebels

December 23, 1996
Web posted at: 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT)

Here are the main points of contention between Tupac Amaru rebel hostage-takers and Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori:

• Rebels demand government release some 300 jailed comrades, including Tupac Amaru leader Victor Polay. Fujimori says he will not release terrorists.

• Rebels say they want to negotiate a "peace process with social justice." Fujimori says he won't talk peace with those who put guns to the heads of hostages, demands rebels disarm.

• Fujimori demands rebels surrender to a "commission of guarantees," after laying down their weapons. He did not say what the commission would do, and rebels have not directly responded.

• Fujimori says guerrillas have terrorized Peru's 23 million people for a decade. Rebels claim the government is at fault for neglecting the poor.

• Rebels accuse government of freeing police and soldiers guilty of massacres and human rights abuses, and say they are tormenting "true social fighters." Fujimori has not responded.

 

Related stories:

• Peru rebels dig in with remaining 140 hostages - December 23, 1996
• Standoff continues; Peruvian officials remain captive - December 23, 1996
• Peruvians march in support of hostages - December 22, 1996
• Some ambassadors freed as Peru standoff continues - December 18, 1996
• Tupac Amaru -- Peru's smaller guerrilla group
• Peruvian rebels release 2 hostages - December 18, 1996

Related sites:

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• Peru Info
• Peru on the Internet

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