Siege talks silence holds

LIMA - Secrecy was maintained by both sides yesterday about the face to face talks between the Peruvian government and Marxist…

LIMA - Secrecy was maintained by both sides yesterday about the face to face talks between the Peruvian government and Marxist hostage takers in the Japanese ambassador's residence. It was unclear what points were discussed at a four hour meeting on Monday between the government negotiator, Mr Domingo Palermo, and guerrilla spokesman Rolly Rojas. A short statement issued by a "guarantors" commission overseeing the talks merely noted the beginning of "preliminary conversations" and said "procedures" had been agreed for further negotiations "at a date yet to be set". Few political analysts were betting on a sudden breakthrough in the search for a negotiated solution and the release of 72 hostages held for 57 days by the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) rebels.