Rebels Agree to Talks With Peru Government
LIMA, Peru — Leftist rebels agreed Wednesday to formal talks to end Peru’s month-old hostage crisis on the condition that everything--including freedom for their jailed comrades--be on the table.
The announcement--made via two-way radio from the Japanese ambassador’s residence--raised hopes of a potential breakthrough in the hostage crisis. The standoff began Dec. 17 when rebels of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement seized about 500 guests during a party at the residence.
Negotiations to free the 74 remaining hostages have been stalled since Jan. 1, with each side hardening its position. President Alberto Fujimori has flatly refused the rebels’ key demand that he free hundreds of jailed guerrillas.
The government said it welcomed a solution to the crisis but did not immediately indicate whether it would accept the rebels’ condition for the talks.
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