Guerrillas still hold hostages

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33653, 1 October 1974, Page 17

Guerrillas still hold hostages

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) SANTO DOMINGO. September 30. The Dominican Government and the urban guerrillas holding six hostages in the Venezuelan Consulate in Santo Domingo were trying to wear each other out today by sitting tight and saying nothing.

There was no indication that any negotiations are planned on the 23 guerrillas’ demand for SUSIm from the United States Government, and the release of 37 alleged Dominican political prisoners.

The Left-wing guerrillas have not carried out their earlier threat to blow up the Consulate, together with their hostages, who include an American woman diplomat and two Venezuelan consular officials.

The hostages went into their third night in captivity, with no electricity or running water and little to eat or drink.

Since Friday, they have said they fear for their lives, and conditions are unbearable.

Late last night, food, soft drinks and cigarettes were delivered to the Consulate, for the first time in 36 hours.

Hundreds of troops and police circling the Consulate since the guerrillas moved in on Friday have not attacked. This may indicate that the Government would be prepared to grant the guerrillas safe conduct, in return for the hostages’ release. But they have made no offers on the political prisoners. Archbishop Hugo Polanco of Santo Domingo, who was mediating on that issue, has quietly withdrawn.

The American Government normally refuses to negotiate for its kidnapped diplomats. The woman hostage, Miss Barbara Hutchinson, 48-year-old Head of the U.S. Information Service in Santo Domingo, has said that she does not believe the ransom money will be paid. There has been no word

from the guerrillas since telephone lines to the Consulate were cut on Saturday night. The Venezuelan Consul, Mr Jesus del Corral, flung a bottle, presumably containing a message, from a window last night. But it landed in the garden, and police refused to expose themselves to the guerrillas’ guns by fetching it.