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Zamboanga
Government forces rescued three Malaysians taken hostage by the Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf group from a Pandanan resort on Sept. 10. At least a dozen Westerners kidnapped by the group have already been ransomed with more than $15 million of Libyan money. That leaves two hostages — American Jeffrey Schilling and Filipino Roland Ullah — still held by the rebel group. The Philippine government claims that 136 rebels and five soldiers have died, with 124 rebels captured, since the military first attempted a rescue on Sept. 16.
Pyongyang
In a historic meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright became the first high-level American official to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The highlight of the two-day visit came during a stadium spectacle with some 100,000 performers during which Kim hinted to Albright that North Korea would not launch any more long-range Taepodong missiles, like the one fired over Japan into the Pacific Ocean two years ago. The U.S. and its Asian allies, South Korea and Japan, want North Korea to make concessions on missile development, testing and export in exchange for financial assistance and diplomatic normalcy. President Clinton is now considering a possible Pyongyang summit in November.
Lima
In an attempt to show he was still in control of events, Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori personally led a four-hour manhunt to locate his former security adviser Vladimiro Montesinos. Following the release of a video five weeks ago which allegedly showed him bribing a newly elected member of Congress, Montesinos made a vain attempt to seek asylum in Panama. Montesinos' departure had plunged Peru into a political crisis with Fujimori's two Vice Presidents resigning from the government last week and the army confined to barracks while the hunt for Montesinos continued. To quell public unrest the government agreed to hold special elections in April next year.
Montreal
Hundreds of antiglobalization protesters demonstrated outside a two-day meeting in Montreal of top finance ministers and central bankers from the so-called G-20. The organization, which includes the richest industrial nations with some of the biggest developing countries including India, China and Brazil, was set up last year to find ways to promote global financial stability. Protesters threw paint, eggs and rocks at police, who arrested some 46 demonstrators. The talks ended later with ideas put forward for strengthening global financial systems, but there were no substantive proposals offered on dealing with problems of poverty and debt relief.