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Red Cross not told in advance of Peruvian raid, official says
April 25, 1997
Web posted at: 12:09 a.m. EDT (0409 GMT)LIMA, Peru (CNN) -- A Red Cross team that gave humanitarian assistance to the Tupac Amaru rebels and their hostages during four months of captivity was not told of plans to storm the compound where the hostages were held, according to a top Red Cross official on the scene.
"When we learned about this operation, it was a huge surprise, " said Michel Minnig of the International Committee of the Red Cross in an interview with CNN International Thursday evening. "Personally, we were very much concerned about the life of the people inside."
Minnig said he was "happy" that the crisis was brought to an end and the hostages reunited with their families, but said he was "sorry for the families who have lost one of their members."
Michael Mining on...
...the role of the ICRC in negotiations (80K/35 sec. AIFF or WAV sound) ..dealing with the hostages (3.7M/44sec. AIFF or WAV sound) ...the bugged guitar (704K/30 sec. AIFF or WAV sound) Peruvian authorities stormed the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima Tuesday afternoon. One hostage and two government commandos died, as did all 14 of the leftist rebels who seized the compound December 17.
The insurgents belonged to the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, which is also known by its Spanish acronym, MRTA. They were demanding the release of their comrades from Peruvian prisons.
Microphone possibly smuggled in Red Cross guitar
There were reports that a key element in developing the intelligence necessary to plan the attack was a tiny microphone smuggled into the compound inside a guitar supplied by the Red Cross.
Minnig said he had heard those reports, but could not say if the government had used the Red Cross shipment to gather intelligence.
"Everything that has been brought inside by the [Red Cross] has been carefully checked by the police and also it has been checked by the MRTA," said Minnig, who said the Red Cross also checked all items.
"But the final responsibility of what was brought in is in the hands of the government and in the hands of the MRTA on the other side."
Minnig said members of the Red Cross team often had a difficult time emotionally trying to balance the demands of their work with the plight of the hostages.
"We have to act normally. We have to take care of the basic needs of the hostages. At the same time, you are witnessing the suffering of the people. You have to cope with all of that," Minnig said.
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