Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 21:19:15 -0500 (EST)
From: "Liam R.Flynn" <trinity-AT-hot-shot.com>
Subject: M-G: Anniversary-Peru


> Peru On Alert Ahead Of Anniversary Of Embassy Residence Siege 
> 
>      LIMA (December 7, 1997 Agence France-Presse) - Authorities
> have increased security in Lima and around Peru in anticipation
> of violence ahead of the first anniversary of rebels'
> hostage-taking at the Japanese ambassador's residence, police
> said Sunday.
>      Fourteen heavily armed Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement
> (MRTA) rebels seized the residence and hundreds of guests at a
> December 17, 1996 evening reception honoring the birthday of
> Japanese Emperor Akihito.
>      The 126-day siege ended April 22 when Peruvian troops
> stormed the building, killing all 14 guerrillas. One of the 72
> remaining hostages and two soldiers died.
>      As the date approaches, police and army troops have made
> their presence felt around diplomatic missions and prominent
> people who could be targeted by the MRTA.
>      And the Japanese embassy, in Lima's Jesus Maria
> neighborhood, is the focus especially tight vigilance, and
> Japanese embassy personnel have been told to limit their
> movements or at least change their daily routine, police said.
>      Security has also been tightened around Ayacucho Archbishop
> Juan Luis Cipriani, a key mediator who sought a peaceful
> compromise end the standoff.
>      Since the end of the siege, anonymous threats have been
> painted on walls in Ayacucho, branding Cipriani a "traitor" and
> "collaborator" with intelligence services.
>      The new safety measures also include beefing up security
> around all of the former hostages, especially former foreign
> minister Francisco Tudela, Bolivian Ambassador Jorge Gumucio, and
> Peruvian and Japanese business executives.
>      Anti-terrorist officials do not rule out armed action by the
> MRTA, even though the group's membership shrank sharply after
> their 14 comrades were killed.
>      Military intelligence sources warn of reports that some MRTA
> cells are gathering in the Chanchamayo valley and planning some
> kind of "celebration".
>      Frecuencia Latina television on Sunday reported that
> counterinsurgency troops have uncovered that Salvadoran nationals
> entered Peru illegally and have begun to train MRTA members.
> Authorities did not comment on the report.
>      Bolivian Government Minister Guido Nayar met with police and
> intelligence service authorities during a visit here last week.
> Police sources say the two sides agreed to reinforce security on
> their common border. MRTA rebels used to seek refuge in Bolivia.
>      The old white-pillared embassy residence in Lima's San
> Isidro district was destroyed in October to make way for a park.
> 
> ----
> Con las Masas y las Armas, Patria o Muerte ... VENCEREMOS!
> MRTA Solidarity Page - http://burn.ucsd.edu/~ats/mrta.htm
> 

                                                       Liam R.Flynn
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