Peru Rebels Release Ill Hostage; Government Agrees to Resume Talks

LIMA, Peru — Peruvian rebels occupying the Japanese ambassador’s residence released their first hostage in 17 days Friday. The Red Cross said the hostage needed medical attention.

Red Cross representative Michel Minnig identified the hostage as Luis Valencia Hirano, a top official with Peru’s anti-terrorism police.

The release was followed almost immediately by a brief statement from official negotiator Domingo Palermo saying the government was ready to resume talks with the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement rebels but would not accept their main demand of freedom for about 400 jailed comrades.

Palermo said arrangements had been made for him to meet with rebel leader Nestor Cerpa Cartolini near the ambassador’s residence, where 73 others were still being held hostage.

The government has proposed that a commission including representatives from both sides be set up to resolve the crisis. Palermo said Canada’s ambassador would be on the panel overseeing the talks.

In a TV interview earlier Friday, President Alberto Fujimori said government negotiators would be allowed to discuss the rebels’ main demand. His comments marked the first time he has said he would agree to talk about it.

In a lighthearted moment Friday, the staff of Peru’s deputy energy minister, Jorge San Roman, serenaded the hostage with a rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock” to mark his 57th birthday.