Hostage Release Thrown Off Track

Government negotiators scrambled to put the release of Western hostages held by Muslim rebels back on track after Philippine President Joseph Estrada rejected a plan that would have left three French journalists in captivity. In addition, bad weather prevented the negotiators from flying to Jolo, a remote southern island where the Abu Sayyaf rebels are holding the captives. Chief government negotiator Robert Aventajado, who had been willing to settle for an initial release of the nine Western tourists, said Estrada insisted that the three TV journalists be released at the same time.