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Peru rebels allege army offensive despite talks
March 16, 1997
Web posted at: 2:59 p.m. EST (1959 GMT)LIMA, Peru (CNN) -- The Marxist rebel movement holding 72 VIPs claimed on Sunday the army was "engaged in a major operation" to flush the guerrillas out of their jungle strongholds despite talks to end the hostage siege peacefully.
A senior Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) leader told Reuters the army was deploying more than 500 soldiers to sweep through the central jungle provinces of Oxapampa and Chanchamayo in a bid to deactivate the group's military bases.
The army denies there is any military operation. But local media has reported several MRTA captures over the last two weeks in the central jungle. And a leading Peruvian human rights group has issued a statement alleging that the whereabouts of four villagers in the area were still unknown after an army operation March 9 led to the detention of 21 peasants.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Peru, Japan agree to seek peaceful end to hostage-taking - February 1, 1997
- 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
Related sites:
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- MRTA Solidarity Page - Arm the Spirit
- PÁgina Oficial del MRTA en Europa - Official MRTA page
- Peru Info
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
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