All Malaysians are gravely concerned about the safety of Malaysian Ambassador to Peru Ahmad Mokhtar Selat - proposal that a Cabinet Minister be sent to Peru if he is not released by Christmas

All Malaysians are gravely concerned about the safety of Malaysian Ambassador to Peru Ahmad Mokhtar Selat and pray that he would be released by Christmas.

The whole nation was deeply disappointed when it was learnt that Ahmad Mokhtar was not among the 225 hostages released yesterday by the Tupac Amaru rebels from the besieged Japanese embassy residence in Peru, for there is no reason why he should continue to held as a hostage when diplomats from Britain, Spain, Panama, Honduras, Venezuela, Bolivia, Germany, Gautemala, the European Union, the United Nations and at least four US embassy staff were among those released.

The Malaysian Government should send strong representation to the Peruvian President, Alberto Fujimoro, who recently visited Malaysia, conveying the concern and hope of Malaysians that a peaceful solution be found to the hostage crisis, especially in the light of reports that crack Peruvian troops have drawn up a provisional plan to assault the Japanese embassy residence.

If Ahmad Mokhtar is not released by Christmas, the Malaysian Government should send a Cabinet Minister to Peru to underline the Malaysian government and nation’s concern over the Malaysian Ambassador’s safety.

This is because the hostage crisis would then have entered into its most critical and dangerous phase, with the escalation of tensions, for the release of 225 hostages yesterday would only mean that the Tupac Amaru rebels were positioning themselves to better control the situation with only some 140 hostages.

The divide between Tupac Amaru rebel hostage-takers and Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori are very wide, including the following:

• Rebels demand government release some 300 jailed comrades, including Tupac Amaru leader Victor Polay. Fujimori says he will not release terrorists.

• Rebels say they want to negotiate a "peace process with social justice." Fujimori says he won't talk peace with those who put guns to the heads of hostages, demands rebels disarm.

• Fujimori demands rebels surrender to a "commission of guarantees," after laying down their weapons. He did not say what the commission would do, and rebels have not directly responded.

• Fujimori says guerrillas have terrorized Peru's 23 million people for a decade. Rebels claim the government is at fault for neglecting the poor.

• Rebels accuse government of freeing police and soldiers guilty of massacres and human rights abuses, and say they are tormenting "true social fighters." Fujimori has not responded.

What must be of concern is that President Fujimoro has so far not only refused the Tupac Amaru demands but has cut off water and electricity to the residence — something one released hostage said is endangering the health and safety of those still inside.

Although the hostage crisis in Lima must be resolved by the Peruvian authorities, the Peruvian President must be reminded that he has also international responsibilities because of the presence of hostages belonging to other nationalities.

It is in this context that the Malaysian Government should seriously consider sending a Cabinet Minister to Peru to look after the best interests of Ahmad Mokhtar.

(24/12/96)