Military Commander Rebels in Peru
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: In Peru today, indications that steps taken by the president, Alberto Fujimori, to stabilize his government may not have had their desired effect. A Peruvian military leader and 60 to 100 of his followers have taken control of a small mining town near the Chilean border. The legion says it does not recognize Fujimori as president. This uprising follows Fujimori's announcement that his three top military officers are going to be replaced. Claudia Cisneros is standing in Lima by with more. Claudia, what exactly is going on?</s>CLAUDIA CISNEROS, GLOBAL NETWORK: Good afternoon, Brian. A middle-ranking military commander led some 60 soldiers to an apparent uprising, taking over a mining town in Toquepala, about 700 miles south of the capital, Lima, today. The rebel commander, Ollanta Humalla Tasso, said earlier today he refused to recognize President Fujimori's authority, requested his immediate resignation as well as the resignation of heads of the armed forces. Osanta Justapha also demanded the immediate arrest of fugitive Vladimiro Montesinos, the former presidential adviser that has sparked the worst political crisis Fujimori has endured in 10 years in office. The apparent military uprising comes after President Fujimori announced yesterday he was changing the heads of the armed forces, reportedly holding close ties to former spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos. But these changes have been seen as a facade, or make-up changes, for many who believe at least two of the newly appointed generals are still close to Vladimiro Montesinos. Montesinos was caught in a videotape last month apparently bribing a congressman. Fujimori then announced he was stepping down from office and calling for early elections in which he will not stand. The political crisis deepened this week, when Vladimiro Montesinos returned to Peru and rumors that he is planning a coup with his allies, high military commanders, started. The latest report from citizens in the mining town in Toquepala say the rebel commander, Humalla Tasso, and his soldiers left town some two hours ago, allegedly taking with him a general of the area hostage. This has not been confirmed yet but are reports from citizens in the area. Mining authorities also have reportedly said fuel and food supplies were requested by the rebel commander, who is believed to be heading northeast, apparently to a military garrison in a Peruvian high Andes town. Meantime, the army has condemned the uprising and said in an official statement they are taking proper actions to put an end to it.</s>NELSON: All right, thank you. Claudia Cisneros reporting to us from Lima, Peru.