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.