2 Officials Resign in Hostage Standoff

Interior Minister Juan Briones and Police Chief Ketin Vidal resigned amid growing criticism for security lapses that led to Marxist rebels’ takeover of the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Lima. Briones, who said his resignation had been accepted by President Alberto Fujimori, made the announcement after swearing in a new police chief following Vidal’s surprise resignation. Briones acknowledged that the Dec. 17 storming of the Japanese envoy’s compound by Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement guerrillas had been a serious setback for Peru’s security forces. Fujimori later named Gen. Cesar Saucedo to take over as interior minister. Vidal was replaced by Gen. Fernando Dianderas.