| DIRECT
TALKS TO END SAGA MANILA -- The top Philippine official negotiating with Muslim rebels for
the release of hostages said he had taken lone charge of the talks with the kidnappers to
end the saga quickly.
Mr Robert Aventajado, special
adviser to President Joseph Estrada, said he and Galib Andang, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf
rebels, had decided to communicate directly instead of through emissaries.
Andang, also known as Commander
Robot, had called Mr Aventajado earlier in the week from his camp on Jolo via a satellite
phone.
""He wants to come up
with a solution quickly,'' Mr Aventajado said. ""He is confused with so many
emissaries.''
He said the two sides would
either talk directly henceforth or use one go-between, a man whose identity he refused to
divulge.
""The go-between will
visit the rebel camp today, or latest by tomorrow, carrying a spare battery pack for the
satellite phone.
""This a more
reliable link...I am pinning my hopes on this,'' he added. --Reuters
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