Fujimori believes Japan consented to raid to free hostages

SANTIAGO (Kyodo) Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori believes he obtained Japan's "understanding" in using force to end the hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima, he said in a recent interview.

Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori speaks during an interview in Santiago on Dec. 8. KYODO PHOTO

The Japanese government was worried about the safety of the hostages and was cautious about the daring assault, and Fujimori's comments in the interview in Chile indicate the two sides had a difference in awareness.

The interview was conducted prior to the 10th anniversary of the crisis that erupted Dec. 17, 1996, when 14 members of Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement seized the residence, where a party to celebrate the Emperor's birthday was being held.

They held it for 127 days until a special unit stormed the residence on April 22, 1997, rescuing 71 hostages.

One Peruvian hostage was killed, as well as two commandos and all of the guerrillas.

Before the assault, Fujimori and Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto issued a joint statement in Toronto that said, "It is essential to secure the physical and mental health of the hostages."

The statement made the Japanese side believe that it could turn away the possibility of an armed assault, while Fujimori thought he received an endorsement from Hashimoto, he said.

Fujimori said there were no other options than the one taken to end the crisis, thus justifying his decision.

He also said he decided to give the go-ahead for the special unit to storm the residence because the guerrillas started restricting health checks for the hostages by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He said he did not think he should have given prior notice to Japan.

Fujimori, indicted in Peru on more than 20 counts of corruption and human rights violations, was arrested by Chilean police on Nov. 7, 2005, after arriving unexpectedly in Santiago from Tokyo ahead of Peru's presidential election next April.