Jailed Peru Rebel Chief Lays Down Arms
Thatâs easier to do when youâre in jail, isnât it?
The imprisoned leader of a Peruvian rebel group that was once involved in a lengthy hostage drama says his group has given up armed conflict and now wants to become a political movement.
Since theyâre all dead or in jail.
In an interview published in Wednesdayâs Peru21 newspaper, Victor Polay acknowledged that the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement has been defeated. ``The moment has arrived for the MRTA to actively join the political fight, within the framework of democracy,ââ said Polay, using the groupâs initials in Spanish.
Sure, no probs, once you finish your life sentence.
He said he would like authorities to grant amnesty to imprisoned MRTA guerrillas. ``I hope there will be a political way out for my companions, the majority of them young people who have been in prison for an average of 12 years,ââ he said.
"They were just impressionable kids trying to hook up with girls!"
The Cuba-inspired Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, along with the larger Shining Path, helped plunge Peru into chaos in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Che was Cuba-inspired too, right up to the moment he bought the farm in Bolivia.
The MRTA grabbed the worldâs attention in December 1996 when 14 of its members seized the Japanese ambassadorâs residence during a cocktail party and held 72 hostages for four months. A raid by army commandoes freed 71 of the captives but left one hostage and all the guerrillas dead.
Condolences to the family of the dead hostage. Guerrillas got what they deserved.
Polay was first captured in 1989, but escaped in a prison break a year later. Police recaptured him in 1992.
This guy isnât much good at anything, is he?
Posted by: Steve White 2003-09-18 |