Hostage-Takers, Mediator Set Talks

Islamic rebels left their mountain hide-out on the southern Philippine island of Jolo to meet with a government negotiator to arrange the start of formal talks aimed at freeing 21 hostages. In informal talks, the Abu Sayyaf rebels have asked for as much as $2 million for an ailing German hostage. The rebels are holding three Germans, two French, two Finns, two South Africans, a Lebanese, 10 Malaysians and a Filipina kidnapped from a Malaysian resort April 23. The Philippine government said the talks will begin Thursday.