Peru rebel leader threatens to keep up attacks

LIMA, Peru, Nov 27 (Reuters) A man who claims he is the top leader of Peru's Shining Path rebels outside of prison said in an interview broadcast he will continue his group's armed struggle if President Alan Garcia refuses to grant amnesty to its jailed members.

In an interview with National Coordinator Radio followed by televised images later broadcast on local television yesterday, the man known as ''Comrade Artemio'' called for a face-to-face meeting with Garcia to possibly bring an end to a string of attacks Artemio has claimed responsibility for in recent years.

''If the government doesn't address our demands then we will be obligated to continue our armed actions to force a negotiated political settlement,'' Artemio said.

Government officials immediately dismissed his comments.

National Coordinator Radio said the interview was conducted more than two weeks ago in a remote jungle location. TV footage showed Artemio surrounded by 50 hooded men and women in black uniforms with the slogan ''Popular Guerrilla Army'' and a hammer and sickle.

The Shining Path is one of the world's most ruthless guerrilla groups and is blamed for more than half the almost 70,000 deaths when Peru was fighting rebels in the 1980s and 1990s. It has largely been dormant since the 1992 capture of its founder and leader, Abimael Guzman.

The group was defeated after Guzman was captured but several hundred rebels remain in the jungle.

The Peruvian government has put a 50,000 dollar bounty on Artemio.

Shining Path rebels occasionally have attacked security forces in recent years, most recently in an ambush on a police vehicle out on routine patrol in the remote Huanuco region last December.

The attack led former President Alejandro Toledo to declare a brief state of emergency in Peru's central jungle after guerrillas from the Shining Path -- a Communist organization on Washington's list of terror groups -- killed eight policemen amid an upsurge in violence.

Analysts say the group now largely offers protection for drug traffickers, who supply them with weapons. The group insists it defends poor coca farmers who say coca is a sacred crop with medicinal qualities that is central to their ancient traditions.

Artemio has repeatedly said he is fighting for the release of Guzman, who was sentenced by a military court to life in jail, and other imprisoned Shining Path members.

In the TV images, the guerrillas could be seen armed and carrying out what appeared to be military-style exercises.

''I think we should sit down and take the bull by the horns to bring a definitive end to this internal conflict that has already caused so much damage to us Peruvians,'' Artemio said.

Peruvian Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo, however, in comments to radio station CPN, called the offer ''insolent.'' REUTERS BDP PM0823