Peru Defends Its Handling of Hostage Crisis

President Alberto Fujimori’s government defended its handling of the 2-week-old hostage crisis Monday, saying that despite the lack of recent progress it expects the safe release of all remaining captives.

“We are certain that the good handling of the crisis will permit a solution preserving the physical integrity of all the hostages,” said Alberto Pandolfi, the head of Fujimori’s Cabinet.

“What we want is a prompt solution. This has been the objective of the government from the start,” Pandolfi said in Lima, the capital.

Fujimori took a hard line--which has softened some--against rebels from the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement now holding 83 hostages inside the Japanese ambassador’s residence. He has said he would not consider their demands until they freed all the captives, who originally numbered about 500.

The Peruvian government has been under conflicting international pressure during the standoff, with Japan’s government in particular insisting that Lima do nothing to risk the lives of the captives.

The rebels freed 20 hostages Saturday after Fujimori sent a Cabinet minister to initiate direct government contact with the guerrillas. The move was a departure from Fujimori’s stated policy of not negotiating with terrorists.

Fujimori conferred Monday with Education Minister Domingo Palermo, the negotiator who talked with rebel leader Nestor Cerpa Cartolini on Saturday inside the residence. Local radio reported Monday night that Palermo had returned to the residence.

Also on Monday, relatives delivered hundreds of letters to the Red Cross, which says it will take them to the hostages today.