Sison seeks political asylum

Sison seeks political asylum

MANILA (AFP): The self-exiled founder of the Philippine
communist insurgent movement yesterday demanded he be granted
political asylum in the Netherlands as a condition for his return
to the Philippines.

Jose Maria Sison, in a statement issued from Utrecht, the
Netherlands, said that he would only return if he wins an asylum
case in the Netherlands and if "there is a fundamental change in
the dismal human rights situation in the Philippines."

But he also rejected President Fidel Ramos's calls for him to
return for peace talks, saying it would be "political suicide."

The Dutch government earlier this year rejected Sison's appeal
for political asylum, a move that would force him to return to
the Philippines. However, Sison has appealed the decision in
court and is allowed to remain there while the case is pending.

Sison admitted that the government and communist negotiators
had discussed forging an agreement on "human rights and
international humanitarian law" in preparation for opening peace
talks.