The rebels, who stormed a swanky cocktail party at the mansion Dec. 17, are demanding the release of 458 jailed guerrillas, including Cerpa's common-law wife and Victor Polay, the group's top leader. The sides exchanged proposals on Wednesday during the ninth round of talks that began Feb. 11. The session marked the end of the preliminary phase of the negotiations. Roman Catholic Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani, who represents the Vatican as one of three mediators in the negotiations, gave no details of either proposal. The other two mediators represent the Canadian government and the International Red Cross.
Japan is involved as an observer.
Cerpa, who boycotted Monday's talks, took part on Wednesday. The meeting lasted just over two hours. The sides agreed to meet again Friday. Fujimori came up with the proposal after a surprise, whirlwind trip to the Dominican Republic and Cuba on Sunday and Monday. Cerpa is unlikely to compromise on his main demand, the freedom of his comrades.