Government, Rebels Vow to Salvage Talks

Government and guerrilla negotiators agreed that they will not allow a dispute over a rebel’s escape from prison to sink ongoing peace talks. Hearings on the negotiations will continue while the sides try to resolve their differences over the prisoner, who hijacked a plane Sept. 8 to take him to guerrilla-held territory. Government officials had demanded that Arnubio Ramos be handed over to finish his sentence for killing a police officer. The rebels refused. Ramos’ escape is widely seen as a sign of government weakness. The three guards who were escorting him to a court hearing when he escaped are under investigation to determine whether charges will be filed against them.