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Fujimori names replacements for leaders held hostage
January 2, 1997
Web posted at: 11:15 p.m. EST (0415 GMT)LIMA, Peru (CNN) -- President Alberto Fujimori Thursday replaced Peru's top security officials and the president of the country's Supreme Court, all of whom are being held hostage by leftist terrorists, the Interior Ministry said Thursday.
Fujimori swore in Victor Raul Castillo, a replacement for Supreme Court President Moises Pantoja.
He then made a speech, only the second time he has spoken publicly since the hostage siege began.
His theme was the need to have peace in Peru. "The Peru we all want, a country where there is peace and jobs for all, will not be built overnight, and much less with a rifle being held at the head of a hostage," the Peruvian president said.
Shortly before the ceremony, Peruvian officials also named replacements for the men responsible for maintaining order in Peru, the chief of the anti-terrorist police, Gen. Maximo Rivera and the country's security chief, Gen. Guillermo Bobbio Zevallos.
They are both being held hostage by the leftist Tupac Amaru Marxist group. About 20 Tupac Amaru members seized the hostages December 17 during a party at the Japanese ambassador's house.
The hostage-takers have released hundreds of captives since then, but still hold 74, including many VIPs and Fujimori's younger brother, Pedro.
The rebels are using the remaining hostages as bargaining chips to demand the release from jail of more than 400 of their comrades.
A reduced number of hostages could increase the likelihood of an attempted breakout -- with or without the hostages -- or make the Peruvian government less reluctant to use force to end the crisis, one of the worst of Fujimori's administration.
It also would give the rebels fewer cards to play with, since they need to hold a certain number of hostages to retain their bargaining power.
'A very difficult year'
The stunning hostage siege culminated the end of what Fujimori described Thursday as "a very difficult year."
Fujimori's popularity ratings were tumbling before the crisis as Peru suffered increasing economic difficulties and a series of disasters, including two massive air crashes and an earthquake.
But Fujimori insisted Thursday that Peru's hostage crisis was not hurting his country and condemned the rebels holding 74 hostages in Lima as "terrorists" bent on pointless violence.
He described the 16-day-old siege at the Japanese ambassador's residence as "an isolated event that is not going to upset the Peruvian economy" and added that he would spend 1997 working toward "peace and prosperity."
"It is an error to think that the violence that arises from discontent can end poverty," Fujimori said.
Correspondent Lucia Newman and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Seven hostages released from Peru diplomatic compound - January 1, 1997
- Peruvian rebels repeat demand that comrades be freed - December 31, 1996
- Both sides appear to soften stance in Peruvian standoff - December 30, 1996
- Peruvians hopeful after direct talks with rebels - December 29, 1996
- Group of 20 hostages released after direct negotiations - December 28, 1996
- Peruvian hostage crisis enters 11th day - December 28, 1996
Related sites:
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- The MRTA Solidarity Page by Arm the Spirit
- Voz Rebelde Internacional -- the official page of the MRTA in Europe
- Peru home Page
- Hemisferio Sur (in Spanish) - links to "Caretas" magazine, and "La Republica" and "Expreso" newspapers
- Peru Info Internet
- International Committee of the Red Cross
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