TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: HOSTAGE SITUATION REMAINS STALEMATED

Created: 7/31/1990

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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I1DAD AND Hostage Sitnation Remains Stalemated

VGO:

The tough bargaining position insisted on by the security forces im Trinidad and Tobago continues to hamstring efforts by the acting goremment toeaceful settlement to the hostage crisis.

Negotiations between government officials and the Abu Bakr-led rebels reportedly broke down again last night Press reports indicate government leaders had agreed to allow the rebels to return under military escort to their compound in western Port-of-Spain where they would disarm, release the hostages, and be granted amnesty. Earlier in the day, the security forces reportedly fired on armed rebels outside of the radio and television station controlled by Abu Bakr and set the annex oh fire. Although security officials believe several rebels may have been killed in the fire, there arc no indications that Abu Bakr has been harmed. Rebel forces remain in control of the Parliament building, but as many as eight of theoebels there reportedly have been wounded or killed. <fi y> "y

rmed forces and police personnel from Jamaica and the seven Eastern Caribbean countries that make up the Regional Security System have assembled in Barbados and are prepared to deploy lo Trinidad and Tobago if requested by Trinidadian authorities. Venezuela has offered to provide airlift support and logistic assistance to the regional contingent; it also has stationed two naval frigates off Trinidadhow of force. /

Comment. Security officials appcor determined lo force the rebels to surrender and are calculating this strategy will not provoke Abu Bakr's supporters into killing ihe hostages. They also may reason that their ability to divide and eventually wear down the rebels is strengthened by the fact that the hostage takers are concentrated in two sites. If the regional military force is sent to Trinidad and Tobago, il will be usedoncombat support role. (Jf Nf)

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