SEPTEMBER 18: CANO:


1.
GV Newsmen run for cover as gunfire breaks out between security forces and gunmen outside the Camara De Comercio Industrias De Corte (3 shots)
0.12

2.
GV Soldiers climbing over surrounding wall (2 shots)
0.21

3.
GV Red Cross workers standing by
0.25


SEPTEMBER 20: TAVERNA:


4.
GV Red Cross officials and soldiers outside building (2 shots)
0.35

5.
GV Soldiers moving into position around building(2 shots)
0.46

6.
GV Red Cross workers carrying supplies into building as soldiers watch (4 shots)
1.11

7.
GV Priest acting as mediator coming out of building
1.26




Initials RdeL/BB





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In Honduras, negotiations with guerrillas for the release of about 80 hostages, including two cabinet ministers, still showed no sign of a quick solution on September 21. The guerrillas, said to be members of the Cinchonero National Liberation Movement, stormed the Chamber of Commerce building of San Pedro Sula on September 17. They are remaining firm in their demands for the release of political prisoners held in Honduras. Police and Red Cross officials have been on stand-by since the siege began -- and about 20 of the initial 104 hostages have been released after talks with government and Church negotiators. Two more or believed to have escaped. The handing over of Salvadorean rebel leader Alejandro Montenegro, arrested in Honduras in August could delay the release of the San Pedro Sula hostages. His deportation is likely to be seen in Central America as proof that the Honduran government has actively joined the fight against leftists in El Salvador.