Talks with rebels remain suspended

Talks with rebels remain suspended

MANILA (AFP): Peace talks with communist insurgents will remain suspended, as the government has refused demands to release a captured guerrilla leader, the head of the state's negotiating panel said yesterday.

The communist National Democratic Front (NDF) had demanded the release of guerrilla leader Sotero Llamas, describing him as a consultant in the talks that opened in Brussels on June 26 but were abruptly scrapped.

But government negotiator Howard Dee reiterated the government's position that Llamas, captured in a battle with troops on May 17, was not covered by immunity guarantees.

Dee released a statement charging that the NDF made their demand in bad faith and in violation of earlier agreements that had paved the way for talks.