Fujimori opts for middle path

President Alberto Fujimori deserves much credit for his handling of the hostage situation in Peru.

More than 70 men remain under the guns and threats of the leftist guerrillas who seized the home of the Japanese ambassador last month during a party. They have spent Christmas and New Year's under the worst conditions imaginable, at gunpoint and with constant fear.

Mr. Fujimori's decision to avoid violence has been a wise one. But so has his equally tough decision not to give in to the demands of the hostage-takers. With the very lives of dozens of innocent people -- including foreign diplomats -- at stake, it must have been tempting to give the rebels what they wanted in order to end the siege.

The men and women of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Front squad have demanded the freedom of about 400 jailed comrades from Peruvian prisons. The president has instead countered with a demand of his own to the guerrillas: give up the siege, free the captives and get safe passage out of the ambassador's home.

In addition to their guns, masks and explosives, the rebels carried a lot propaganda and emotional baggage into the siege. They have complained of harsh conditions in Peruvian jails, and unfairness and brutality by government troops in the anti-leftist wars.

Their leader has shown real or feigned shock at being compared with Peru's Maoist rebels, the much more brutal Shining Path. In his speeches and statements, he has had much to say about Peru's poor, and the disparity between them and the rich of the country.

The Peruvian leader has realized that one does not bargain with an armed negotiator. It is obvious that to get the hostages out of the besieged ambassador's residence, there must be some guarantee of safe passage to the rebels.

That seems to be Mr. Fujimori's only concession. It is the proper limit to place on what he will give to the terrorists. The rebels want to trade the lives of the hostages for the freedom of their imprisoned comrades. The president appears willing to trade the lives of the hostage-takers for the lives of their hostages.

Any other offer would be a mistake, particularly in Peru. The nation has long been troubled by leftists of various stripes. Since the hostage crisis began more than two weeks ago, Peru's press and citizens have shown support for the stand of Mr. Fujimori.

The attack on the Japanese ambassador's party came as a shock to the nation, which was trying to emerge from a long period of terrorism and guerrilla warfare. Peruvians have shown no sympathy for the Tupac Amaru group, and much compassion for their captives.

-- The Bangkok Post