|
Peru, Japan agree to seek peaceful end to hostage-taking
February 1, 1997
Web posted at: 12:06 p.m. EST (1706 GMT)TORONTO (CNN) -- Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori and Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto vowed Saturday not to give in to rebels holding 72 hostages in Lima. But the leaders emphasized they will seek a peaceful resolution.
The announcement came in a joint news conference after the two leaders met for nearly two hours in downtown Toronto, where they discussed the ongoing standoff.
About 20 Tupac Amaru rebels stormed the Japanese ambassador's residence during a reception December 17 and took hundreds of people hostage. All but the 72 have been released.
Displaying a united front against terrorism, the men pledged to seek a quick end to the hostage crisis. Talks to free the hostages broke down several weeks ago when Fujimori refused to discuss the rebels' main demand -- the release of several hundred rebel comrades jailed in Peru.
Hashimoto, who has been critical in the past of Peru's hard-line stance with the Tupac Amaru rebels, voiced support for Fujimori's handling of the crisis.
"President Fujimori explained to me that he will seek preliminary dialogue between the Peruvian government and the culprits. I told him we welcome and support these efforts," Hashimoto said.
The Peruvian government negotiator has met directly with the rebels only once. All other contacts have been through intermediaries.
Despite the push for a speedy end to the standoff, Fujimori said he remained adamantly opposed to the rebels' key demand.
"There will be absolutely no release of MRTA prisoners," Fujimori said, referring to the rebel group. "We would not like to go back to the past."
But Fujimori said observers and mediators would begin a process of contacting the rebels to "try to come to an agreement for the framework for our dialogue."
Many of the hostages at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima are leading Japanese businessmen, and officials in Tokyo have been alarmed by recent Peruvian security force maneuvers around the compound.
On Monday, commandos gave rebels an obscene gesture. The rebels responded with a hail of gunfire.
Related stories:
- Sound of music replaces gunfire at Peru standoff - January 28, 1997
- Shots ring out in Peru - January 27, 1997
- Rhetoric heats up on both sides of hostage dispute - January 24, 1997
- Rebels refuse to budge in Peru - January 18, 1997
- A hostage is freed in Peru as government invites talks - January 17, 1997
- Peruvian rebels release one more hostage - January 17, 1997
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- Human Rights Reference Site
- The MRTA Solidarity Page by Arm the Spirit
- Voz Rebelde Internacional -- the official page of the MRTA in Europe (in Spanish)
- Internet Network of Peru
- Peru Home Page (in Spanish)
- Hemisferio Sur (in Spanish) - links to "Caretas" magazine, and "La Republica" and "Expreso" newspapers
- Peru Info Internet
- International Committee of the Red Cross
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.