From: detcom-AT-sprynet.com
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 23:15:52 -0800
Subject: M-G: Fujimori Expands State Of Emergency In Lima


News from the Peru Support Committee / Detroit

Fujimori Expands State Of Emergency In Lima

December 27, 1996


LIMA, Peru  -- Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori on Friday 
broadened emergency rule for all of Lima as a hostage crisis at the
Japanese ambassador's house dragged on for a 10th day. 

A decree published in the official government gazette and signed by
the dictator said all of Lima and the neighboring port of Callao had
been placed under emergency rule for 60 days. 

Despite the claim of a drop in the frequency of rebel attacks,
emergency rule has continued in many areas of Peru. 

The measure suspends certain constitutional guarantees such as
protection from house searches and protection from arrests
without warrants. The order also lifts guarantees on travel and
free assembly. 

These measures also lend credence to the accuracy of those 
statements made by many people around the world that Fujimori
is a fascistic dictator, a Peruvian Hitler.

Fujimori said he imposed the state of emergency to preserve
tranquillity and security in the capital. He did not elaborate. 

Peruvian police Friday arrested three street-sellers 
outside the besieged ambassador's house. Police kidnapped
them away from the scene claiming that they found them in 
possesion of false identity papers, maps and plans, a police 
source told Reuters. 

Members of the MRTA group took more than 500 hostages December 17
during a party at the Japanese ambassador's house and have been
gradually freeing the captives.

Peru's Congress displayed its solidarity with the hostages
during a meeting Friday. Flags marked the seats of members who
are still being held captive, and during the roll call members
shouted "present" in unison, like a bunch of Nazi morons. 

Outside Peru, the Group of Seven (G7) imperialist nations escalated
its rhetoric against the hostage-takers, backing Peru's tough stand. 
The countries weighed in to condemn them as terrorists and promised to
help the Peruvian government with "all the appropriate means that it
could request."

The communique was issued by France, which holds the organization's
rotating presidency. It said the group -- along with Russia --
"reaffirmed the general principle under which no concession must be made
in the face of a terrorist action" and that G7 imperialist countries 
"express their solidarity with the Peruvian government and support its
efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully, with the main objective of 
sparing human lives."

Shortly after the statement was issued, Peruvian ministers arrived at
the government palace in downtown Lima for an emergency cabinet meeting
with Fujimori. 

Earlier on Friday, Japan, whose nationals account for the largest
number of hostages after Peru, called for unity in resolving the
crisis. "It is clear that the international community should not
condone terrorism," whined Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda  at  a news
conference. "It is also necessary...to act as one to help resolve this
crisis by setting free all the hostages peacefully, and at an early
date."

Posted 12/28/96 
Peru Support Committee/Detroit



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