Peru to protest Europe on terrorism

CNN

Legislators in Peru plan to lodge a protest on Friday with the European Parliament after it declined to list the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, an insurgent group, as a terrorist organization.

The motion would be delivered "so that they can know the feelings of Peruvian legislators against terrorism," the Peruvian News Agency reported.

On Thursday the Peruvian Congress approved a resolution to reaffirm the group as a terrorist organization and criticize the European Parliament for its decision to omit the group, according to the Peruvian News Agency.

The Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement waged war against the Peruvian state in the 1980s and 1990s and is best known for capturing hundreds of hostages at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima 11 years ago.

The standoff, which began in December 1996, ended when Peruvian forces stormed the compound and rescued most hostages the following April.

The Movement conducted bombings, kidnappings and assassinations, according to the U.S. State Department, which lists it among foreign terrorist organizations. The group takes its name from Tupac Amaru, the last legitimate Inca ruler, who was executed by the Spanish in 1572.

The Movement and the larger Shining Path, a Maoist organization, are blamed in the deaths of thousands of Peruvians. A fierce crackdown has largely crippled both groups, however, and the United States estimates that only 100 members remain in the Tupac Amaru group

Source: CNN.com

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