humanitarian intermediation.110 Finally, a Commission of Guarantors was set up, headed by Domingo Palermo and also including foreign representatives, to find a peaceful solution through dialog.111 148. Chief among the guerrillas’ demands was that jailed MRTA members be released and transferred to the central jungle along with the group members who were occupying the residence,112 and calling for several changes to economic policy and the payment of a “war tax”.113 The MRTA rebels also demanded the release of their leaders being held in the Yanamayo prison and the Callao Naval Base.114 149. Between December 17, 1996 and January, 1997, the guerrillas released most of the hostages, until only 72 people remained in the residence. 115 Numerous negotiations took place between the government and the MRTA from that date until the launch of the rescue operation on April 22, 1997 (infra para. 161).116 150. President Fujimori Fujimori visited Cuba and other countries in early March, looking for places willing to receive the guerrillas. 117 Néstor Fortunato Cerpa Cartolini, leader of the MRTA group (supra para. 145), announced on March 6, 1997 that security forces had been discovered digging a tunnel underneath the residence, and suspended further talks. 118 Negotiations Cf. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Informe Final, 2003, volume VII, chapter 2.66, Extrajudicial executions at the residence of the Japanese ambassador (1997), p. 721 (evidence file, volume I, annex 1 to the case submission brief, folio 7). 110 Cf. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Informe Final, 2003, volume VII, chapter 2.66, Extrajudicial executions at the residence of the Japanese ambassador (1997), p. 721 (evidence file, volume 1 annex 1 to the case submission brief, folio 7), and ruling by the Third Special Criminal Chamber of the Superior Court of Lima, October 15, 2012 (evidence file, volume XX, annexed to the representatives’ observations on the State’s preliminary objections, folio 13414). 111 Cf. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Informe Final, 2003, volume VII, chapter 2.66, Extrajudicial executions at the residence of the Japanese ambassador (1997), p. 720 (evidence file, volume I, annex 1 to the case submission brief, folio 6). See also, “order to open investigation” issued on June 11, 2002 by the Third Special Criminal Chamber (evidence file, volume I, annex 3 of the case submission brief, folio 70). 112 Cf. Ruling by the Third Special Criminal Chamber of the Superior Court of Lima, October 15, 2012 (evidence file, volume XX, annexed to the representatives’ observations on the State’s preliminary objections, folio 13411 and 13412). 113 Cf. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Informe Final, 2003, volume VII, chapter 2.66, Extrajudicial executions at the residence of the Japanese ambassador (1997), p. 721 (evidence file, volume I, annex 1 to the case submission brief, folio 7). 114 Cf. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Informe Final, 2003, volume VII, chapter 2.66, Extrajudicial executions at the residence of the Japanese ambassador (1997), p. 722 and 723 (evidence file, volume 1 annex 1 to the case submission brief, folio 8 to 9), and ruling by the Third Special Criminal Chamber of the Superior Court of Lima, October 15, 2012 (evidence file, volume XX, annexed to the representatives’ observations on the State’s preliminary objections, folio 13413 to 13414). 115 Cf. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Informe Final, 2003, volume VII, chapter 2.66, Extrajudicial executions at the residence of the Japanese ambassador (1997), p. 721 to 723 (evidence file, volume 1 annex 1 to the case submission brief, folio 7 to 9), and ruling by the Third Special Criminal Chamber of the Superior Court of Lima, October 15, 2012 (evidence file, volume XX, annexed to the representatives’ observations on the State’s preliminary objections, folio 13414 to 13416). 116 Cf. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Informe Final, 2003, volume VII, chapter 2.66, Extrajudicial executions at the residence of the Japanese ambassador (1997), p. 723 (evidence file, volume 1 annex 1 to the case submission brief, folio 9), and ruling by by the Third Special Criminal Chamber of the Superior Court of Lima, October 15, 2012 (evidence file, volume XX, annexed to the representatives’ observations on the State’s preliminary objections, folio 13414). 117 Cf. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Informe Final, 2003, volume VII, chapter 2.66, Extrajudicial executions at the residence of the Japanese ambassador (1997), p. 723 (evidence file, volume 1 annex 1 to the case submission brief, folio 9), and ruling by the Third Special Criminal Chamber of the Superior Court of Lima, October 118