Remaining European hostages likely to be freed
next week: negotiator
MANILA, Sept 2 (AFP) - The six
remaining hostages held by Muslim extremists in the southern Philippines will likely be
freed next week, following the return of Libyan mediator Rajab Azzarouq, chief government
negotiator Roberto Aventajado said Saturday.
Aventajado also said in a
television interview that an emissary he dispatched to the kidnappers earlier this week
had confirmed that plans for the Europeans' release would go on as scheduled, despite the
detention of an American hostage by the Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf on Monday.
"Next weekend, all six of
them," Aventajado said, referring to two Finns, a Frenchman and a German seized by
the Abu Sayyaf from a Malaysian resort on April 23 and two French journalists kidnapped
while covering the hostage crisis in the southern island of Jolo.
Aventajado said Azzarouq told
him by telephone that he would return to the Philippines on Monday after escorting one
group of freed hostages out of the Philippines and onto Libya.
"Shortly after his
arrival, we will be able to implement our plans," Aventajado said, adding "I
want him around when we go for the release of the remaining hostages."
Libyan mediator Azzarouq was
instrumental in obtaining the release on Sunday and Monday of two Frenchwomen, two South
Africans, a German, and a Franco-Lebanese woman also seized from the Malaysian resort.
The releases boosted the image
of Libya but were tainted by widespread reports that huge ransoms were paid to the
kidnappers.
Libya has denied that any
ransom was paid but admits that development aid was promised to areas inhabited by the
kidnappers.
Aventajado said a Filipino also
seized during the raid on the Malaysian resort would also likely be freed by the
kidnappers, perhaps on the same day as the Europeans.
Even as one batch of hostages
were freed, another faction of the Abu Sayyaf took an American, Jeffrey Schilling,
hostage, reportedly while he was visiting their camp with his Filipina fiancee, a relative
of one of the Abu Sayyaf leaders.
Aventajado has said he is only
acting as negotiator for the remaining six Europeans and is not working for the release of
Schilling.
The US government has not taken
Libya up on its offer to also negotiate for the release of Schilling.
In addition to Schilling and
the six Europeans, the Abu Sayyaf are also holding 18 Filipinos, including 12 Christian
preachers, and three local women whom they forced into marrying Abu Sayyaf members.
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