9 MAY 2000
The South African Government is gravely concerned about the safety, security and general well-being of South African hostages, Callie and Monique Strydom, who are being kept together with a group of international hostages in the Philippines.
Reports of intermittent clashes between the hostage-takers and members of the Philippine Armed Forces do not augur well for the speedy resolution of the hostage crisis and are noted with great concern.
The visit of the Philippine President, Joseph Estrada, on Sunday, 7 May 2000 to Zamboanga and his meeting with Governor Nur Misuari, is noted with keen interest.
The South African Government sincerely hopes that this meeting would provide a further impetus to the negotiation process gathering momentum so as to ensure that all hostages are released - unconditionally and unharmed.
South Africa supports the planned initiative of the European Union (EU) to send Mr Javier Solana, Chief Policy Advisor on Foreign Affairs of the EU to the Philippines to again stress the importance that this hostage crisis should be resolved without bloodshed and that the hostages should be released as soon as possible.
The South African Government fully respects the Philippine Government’s responsibility to exhaust all avenues in addressing this crisis decisively and peacefully without resorting to the use of armed force.
The South African Government therefore again calls on the Government of the Philippines to ensure that their military forces undertake no actions which could jeopardize the lives of the hostages.
For media enquiries, kindly contact Mr Dumisani Rasheleng on 083-709-8166
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
P/B 152
Pretoria
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