>Libya:
>
>News and Views
>
>: , 22 August, 2000: Philippine officials sought Libya's approval Monday for
>a new approach to talks with Muslim rebels after the separatists' last-minute
>refused to free 24 hostages last weekend. President Joseph Estrada decided on
>the strategy - which would not be made public until Libya responds - after
>talking with top negotiators, members of the negotiating team said. Chief
>government negotiator Robert Aventajado said the plan retains the president's
>``all or nothing'' approach to the freeing of the captives, but other aspects
>were changed to resolve disagreements with the Abu Sayyaf rebels. Some believe
>the Abu Sayyaf group is demanding a larger ransom than Libya offered. The
>rebels have sought $1 million for each Westerner. [AP]
Tuesday, 22 August, 2000: The Philippines Monday blamed a row between a top
Libyan negotiator and the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas for the Muslim extremists'
refusal to release 28 hostages, as indications emerged of a dispute over
ransom money. The Abu Sayyaf group insisted on 18 million dollars -- a
million for each of the remaining nine Westerners, and three million
dollars each for three French journalists captured later, they said. "The
Libyan mediators brought only about four million dollars with them, leading
Abu Sayyaf leaders to accuse Azzarouq of not fulfilling his promise," one
source said. "It was not clear what the promise was." Qadhafi Charitable
Foundation announced late Sunday that it would keep mediating to free the
hostages in the Philippines, despite its earlier threat to halt its
efforts. The foundation, headed by Seif al-Islam the son of Libyan leader
Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi, had earlier warned: "If there is no positive and
concrete development in the next 48 hours, it (the foundation) will pull
out of negotiations." Muslim separatist Abu Sayyaf rebels are holding 28
hostages on the southern Philippine island of Jolo. [AFP]
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