Top negotiator meets Philippine president to
break hostage impasse
MANILA, Aug 21 (AFP) - The top
government negotiator in the Philippine hostage crisis has met President Joseph Estrada to
consider fresh ways to break a deadlock in negotiations with Muslim extremists holding 28
captives in southern Jolo island, an official said Monday.
Roberto Aventajado briefed
Estrada on recommendations adopted by negotiators dealing with the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas
who on Saturday reneged on a pledge to free their hostages and end the four-month crisis,
said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The meeting was held privately
Sunday night after Aventajado and officials had publicly said the talks would be held
Monday.
Aventajado held talks Monday
with Libya's pointman in the negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf, Rajab Azzarouq, on
"results" of the meeting with Estrada, the official said.
Azzarouq would relay the
details to Libya and was to brief Aventajado late Monday on the reply, he said.
Manila's effort to end the
crisis -- which started with the abduction of 21 tourists and staff at the Malaysian
resort of Sipadan on April 23 -- was rocked Saturday when the Abu Sayyaf pulled out of a
deal bankrolled by Libya to free all the hostages.
The rebels have captured
several other hostages since bringing the Sipadan captives to Jolo island. They now hold
12 Westerners and 16 Filipinos.
The Abu Sayyaf leaders said in
a letter to Aventajado on Saturday they feared a military assault when the hostages were
handed over, but defence officials have denied the military was poised to move in.
The guerrillas also want to
release the hostages in batches, against Estrada's firm "all-or-nothing" policy.
An Abu Sayyaf spokesman, Abu
Sabaya, told radio DXRZ in Zamboanga: "We are not ready to release all of the
hostages yet as we are preparing for a military offensive.
"Our leaders are still
discussing how to release the hostages."
Following the collapse of
negotiations, a charity run by Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's son Seif threatened on
Saturday to quit the talks completely and drop an offer of development aid reportedly
worth 25 million dollars if there was no progress in 48 hours.
But the ultimatum was lifted
Sunday after "governments of the hostages' countries contacted the association and
appealed for it to continue its efforts to resolve the crisis."
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