Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
15 May 2000
The South African officials who traveled to the southern city of Zamboanga over the weekend returned to Manila yesterday. During their visit to Mindanao, the officials met the Consuls of Finland, France and Germany in their ongoing efforts to enhance South Africa's co-operation and joint activities in securing the safe and earliest possible release of the hostages.
The officials also met the senior military officials of the Philippines South Command to establish formal contact should there be a release through them. In addition, they also visited the military hospital which will possibly be used to receive and treat the hostages upon their release.
The South African Government is encouraged by the measures taken by the Philippine Government of pulling its troops from forward positions, as confirmed during a briefing to the diplomatic corps by the Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary, Mr Domingo Siazon and the Executive Secretary, Mr Ronaldo Zamora.
This has led to the easing of tensions between the two adversaries and this would bode well for peaceful negotiations leading to the safe release of the hostages ultimately. It was confirmed that the hostages are well and in relatively good spirit under these circumstances. The other consignment of medicines, food and clothes was sent to the hostages over the weekend.
The negotiators are supposed to return from Manila to Jolo on Tuesday after briefing the Philippine President on the state of affairs of the hostage crisis. On the return of the negotiators, the written demands of the hostage-takers are supposed to be delivered, paving the way for the start of the negotiations.
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