June 25, 2002, The Philippine Star, Formal talks with Sayyaf to resume soon - Puno,

June 25, 2002, The Philippine Star, Formal talks with Sayyaf to resume soon - Puno,

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Formal negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of 21 mostly foreign hostages held in Jolo may resume soon, according to Press Secretary Ricardo Puno. Puno told a press briefing here yesterday that chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado just flew in and was now trying to arrange a resumption of negotiations.

"Last time I talked to him the other day, he was trying to get a specific meeting time with the Abu Sayyaf representatives. I guess his being here might be an indication that a meeting can be expected in the very near future," Puno said. "I hope that the fact that the Abu Sayyaf has now finally decided to get back to the negotiations means that they are serious," he added.

The Abu Sayyaf's ever-changing demands forced frustrated government negotiators to suspend formal talks so they can assess the situation before making their next move. But backdoor contacts with the kidnappers were maintained through emissaries.

While declaring their support for the talks, Finland, France, Germany and Malaysia grew impatient during the three-week lull and pressured the Philippine government to speed up the negotiations.

But in another show of the terrorists' ficklemindedness, the Abu Sayyaf scuttled at the last minute a $5-million deal for the release of five female hostages, a source privy to the negotiations said yesterday. Government negotiators initially haggled for the release of all the hostages in exchange for the amount before agreeing to the bandits' offer to release five female captives.

"We don't know what they want. They keep changing their minds," said the source, who asked not to be identified. They were supposed to finalize the deal when the rebels again changed their minds. A Malaysian Red Crescent mission is preparing to deliver food, medicine and other supplies to the hostages after government negotiators gave them the go-signal. Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, a member of the government panel, said the trip would go ahead once he arrives in Jolo from Manila today after discussing strategy with fellow negotiators.

But the medical mission would only be allowed to see the 11 Asian hostages. The 10 Caucasian hostages were taken to another hideout to foil a feared military rescue operation, denied yesterday by Puno. Local health officials are concerned over the health of the hostages because of the monsoon rains that pounded Jolo most of the week.

Sensing that the government seemed to be "softening" its no-ransom policy, an opposition congressman called on Malacañang to reject any ransom demand by the Abu Sayyaf for the release of its 21 mostly foreign hostages. Bohol Rep. Ernesto Herrera said paying ransom would embolden the bandits to kidnap more people in the future.

"Look what happened -- kidnap-for-ransom has become a cottage industry in some parts of Mindanao, especially in areas where the Abu Sayyaf operates," Herrera said. Herrera said the hostage crisis poses "a unique opportunity to show the people and the international community a different resolve that there will be no more payments to terrorists and kidnappers." --With Liberty Dones, AFP