RP blames Libya-Abu Sayyaf row for hostage talks collpase<\/p>\n
MANILA (AFP): The Philippines on Monday blamed a row between a
\ntop Libyan negotiator and the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas for the
\nMuslim extremists' refusal to release 28 hostages, as indications
\nemerged of a dispute over ransom money.<\/p>\n
Chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado, who has opposed
\npaying a ransom to end the four-month crisis, said the dispute
\nbetween Libyan Rajab Azzarouq and Abu Sayyaf leader Galib
\n"Commander Robot" Andang was over something "I would rather not
\nbe privy about."<\/p>\n
The finger pointing came at a press conference called by
\nAventajado to detail moves on opening communication with Libya,
\nin order to salvage negotiations to free 12 Western and 16
\nFilipino hostages held in a jungle hideout on southern Jolo
\nisland.<\/p>\n
"What went wrong was the little details that ambassador
\nAzzarouq had with Commander Robot," Aventajado said.<\/p>\n
"There are certain things ambassador Azzarouq and Commander
\nRobot discussed, and I came to know some of this when Commander
\nRobot called me up yesterday."<\/p>\n
Asked if the row was over ransom money, Aventajado said:
\n"There are so many elements involved here." He refused to
\nelaborate.<\/p>\n
Libya, with Azzarouq as its pointman, led the latest
\nnegotiations to end the four-month crisis with an offer of
\n"development aid."<\/p>\n
The initiative appeared to be heading for success until
\nSaturday when the Abu Sayyaf reneged on an agreement to release
\ntheir hostages.<\/p>\n
Although the guerrillas said they backed off because they
\nfeared a military attack, government sources have said the main
\nreason was an argument over ransom payments.<\/p>\n
The Abu Sayyaf insisted on $18 million -- a million for each
\nof the remaining nine Westerners taken from Sipadan resort in
\nApril, and $3 million each for three French journalists captured
\nlater, they said.<\/p>\n
"The Libyan mediators brought only about $4 million with them,
\nleading Galib Andang and Mujib Susukan to accuse Azzarouq of not
\nfulfilling his promise," one source said. "It was not clear what
\nthe promise was."<\/p>\n
Following a meeting Sunday night between Aventajado and
\nPresident Joseph Estrada, a proposed formula to revive
\nnegotiations was relayed to Libya via Azzarouq. There was no
\nimmediate response, Aventajado said.<\/p>\n
He also said Estrada would not deviate from his "all-or-
\nnothing" release policy, which has been criticized by Azzarouq.<\/p>\n
Negotiators on Saturday refused an Abu Sayyaf offer to only
\nfree two Europeans and release the remainder in batches to ward
\noff a military assault.<\/p>\n
Despite defense officials denying plans of military action, at
\nleast 7,000 villagers in the past three days have fled the area
\nwhere the hostages are being held, fearing they could be caught
\nin the crossfire, said Asjada Abdu, the village chief of central
\nTalipao town.<\/p>\n
"These villages are virtually a ghost town. In fact we have
\ndeclared them a no-man's land. There are no more civilians in
\nthese areas but guerrillas," he said.<\/p>\n
The number of Abu Sayyaf rebels, around 360 before the crisis,
\nhad swelled to 4,500 said Abdu, as the $5.5 million which was
\npaid for the earlier release of seven hostages was spent on new
\nweapons, attracting new fighters.<\/p>\n
"The villagers are afraid. The weapons are being test-fired
\nfrom morning to night-time," Abdu said, estimating the Abu Sayyaf
\narsenal at 3,000 weapons and counting.<\/p>\n
The police and military in Jolo town fueled Abu Sayyaf fears
\nMonday by launching a week-long exercise on handling mortar guns.<\/p>\n
"This is because according to the Abu Sayyaf, they are going
\nto attack downtown Jolo and we should be ready for any untoward
\nincident," military task force leader Col. Susulan Salapuddin
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The drama started with the abduction of 21 tourists and staff
\nfrom the resort of Sipadan on April 23.<\/p>\n
The rebels have since captured several other hostages and
\nstill hold five French nationals, two Finns, two South Africans,
\ntwo Germans, a Franco-Lebanese woman and 16 Filipinos.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rp-blames-libya-abu-sayyaf-row-for-hostage-talks-collpase-1447893297",
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