Prisoners of the Tax Man

The Peruvian nationals among the 72 people held hostage for the past 105 days by leftist guerrillas at the Japanese Embassy in Lima got good news this week. No, not that good news, but good nonetheless.

A short legal notice in a Peruvian newspaper informed them that there was no reason for concern if their income tax returns were not filed by the April 2 deadline. Considering their precarious situation, Peruvian officials have decided to give the hostages “30 working days after they recover their freedom” to file. Oh, thanks. This sort of news makes you wonder exactly what kind of value the government puts on these hostages.

But the reprieve, in a dry legal notice, also can be read by the hostages and their relatives in a positive light. Someone in high government circles seems confident the crisis will eventually be resolved in a peaceful manner, giving the hostages a few days to return to their normal lives--which, of course, include paying taxes.

Peruvian Cabinet Chief Alberto Pandolfi has urged everyone concerned with the hostage affair to be patient. “Things are advancing,” he said recently while reiterating the government’s position that the rebel demands for a prisoner release will not be met. So the question remains: Will this sad affair be a debit or a credit?