Shining Path Leader Has His Say On Peruvian TV -- Abimael Guzman Speaks To Journalists From Cage

LIMA, Peru - Abimael Guzman, known to the faithful as Presidente Gonzalo, finally got his chance to address the people of Peru on national television yesterday. But his podium was a cast-iron cage in a police parking lot and his revolutionary attire a black-and-white striped prison uniform.

It was the first time journalists had confronted the self-proclaimed heir to Marx, Lenin and Mao Zedong since he was captured by police Sept. 12.

Peru's most wanted terrorist turned out to be an overweight, gray-bearded, bespectacled man in baggy prison pajamas. But like an aging lion provoked by gawking visitors at a zoo, he tried to show that he still could roar.

"People of Peru! We are making history!" he shouted, pacing the cage police had built especially for him.

"We are fighting because we are communists! We will defend the principles of the party. . . . The popular war will triumph!"

As if to comfirm Guzman's claims, Shining Path members detonated a string of bombs in the capital yesterday.

Three banks had windows and doors blown out, but no one was hurt. The rebels also detonated three bombs in the National Engineering University, a one-time rebel stronghold now occupied by the army.

Guzman's 15-minute harangue repeatedly was interrupted by Peruvian journalists unable to resist taunting the man whose followers 12 years ago began a guerrilla war blamed for the deaths of more than 25,000 people.

"How do you like your new clothes?" shouted one.

"Murderer," screamed another. "Do you prefer to be shot or hung?"

Others tried to draw him out. "What about perestroika?" yelled a photographer. "What have you got to say to (President Alberto) Fujimori?"

But Guzman, one fist behind his back, the other violently chopping the air in front of him, continued his speech.

"Some think that this is a great defeat for the party," he yelled, apparently referring to his capture. "But it is only a bend in the road. The road is long, but the people will win. . . . We will establish the People's Republic of Peru!"

Less than two weeks ago, Guzman was caught in a two-story stucco house in one of Lima's placid middle-class neighborhoods. Since then he has been held for interrogation in the downtown headquarters of DINCOTE, the elite anti-terrorist police force that tracked him down after months of surveillance.

Under anti-terrorist legislation decreed by the Fujimori government, the leader of the Shining Path can be held by police for only 15 days for interrogation. He then will be turned over to a military court for trial on charges of treason.

Fujimori has said the trial should take less than 30 days.

Under Peruvian law, there is no death penalty except in the case of treason during wartime. But the Peruvian president has suggested he may look for ways to apply the maximum penalty in response to the popular outcry for capital punishment.

Because the trial is to be held behind closed doors, yesterday's presentation may be the last time Guzman is seen before sentencing.

More than a hundred journalists jammed the interior courtyard and parking lot of DINCOTE, pushing and shoving for space on two makeshift platforms and a truck bed to hear Guzman speak from his specially built cage in a corner of the lot.

After some 15 minutes of speech - which included a history of Peru from the Spanish Conquest through the domination of the English to North American imperialism - Guzman's fire seemed to go out.

"Answer our questions," a journalist shouted.

"If you want an interview, go ask your government," Guzman yelled. Then he stood in a corner of his cage.

Someone started to sing the national anthem. And Presidente Gonzalo - now simply prisoner 1509 - raised his fist.