April 22, 1997
Web posted at: 6:14 p.m. EDT (2214 GMT)
From the Associated Press
December 17, 1996 -- About 20 Tupac Amaru rebels seize the Japanese ambassador's residence during a cocktail party and take hundreds of hostages. Hours later, they release the women, including the mother and sister of Peru President Alberto Fujimori.
December 18 -- Rebels threaten to kill hostages, beginning with Foreign Minister Francisco Tudela, unless government releases jailed comrades. Deadline passes. Guerrillas later release ambassadors of Germany, Canada and Greece and a Peruvian diplomat.
December 19 -- The International Red Cross is designated as intermediary between rebels and government. Three hostages released. Japanese Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda arrives in Lima to appeal for peaceful solution.
December 20 -- Rebels free 38 hostages, including ambassadors of Brazil, South Korea and Egypt.
December 22 -- Rebels free 225 hostages, including diplomats from Austria, Cuba, Venezuela, Panama, Spain and the United States.
December 24 -- Uruguay's ambassador is released after his country frees two Tupac Amaru rebels held there. Peru recalls top envoy in Montevideo in protest.
December 28 -- Government negotiator, Education Minister Domingo Palermo, meets with rebels, who later release 20 hostages.
January 1, 1997 -- Seven hostages are released in New Year's Day gesture.
January 15 -- Rebels agree to participate in talks to end crisis on the condition that everything -- including freedom for their jailed comrades -- be on the table.
February 1 -- Fujimori agrees to talks with rebels at summit in Toronto with Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.
February 11 -- Rebel leader Nestor Cerpa and government representative begin organized talks on crisis.
March 3 -- Fujimori makes surprise trip to Cuba; secures Fidel Castro's offer of asylum for the rebels if needed to end standoff.
March 12 -- Talks break down over Cerpa's demand that hundreds of rebels be released.
April 20 -- Peru's interior minister and national police chief suddenly resigns, citing security lapses that allowed rebels to seize hostages.
April 22 -- Amid gunfire and explosions, Peruvian forces storm the ambassador's residence and rescue many hostages.
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