MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fujimori promises he will return to Peru.

Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, currently exiled in Japan, reiterated he's preparing to return to Peru to conduct the presidential campaign that will take him to office again.

"When the political persecution is over, my destination will be Peru. I will return to confirm that all those accusations are baseless, and that it's all a big set up to prevent me from retaking political activity in Peru", said Mr. Fujimori interviewed by a Colombian station.

Mr. Fujimori was insistent in pointing out that "terrorism" is back in Peru because of the current policies adopted by Congress and previous governments.

Last week a whole camp of foreign oil workers was kidnapped in the jungle supposedly by remnants of the notorious Marxist oriented Shining Path guerrilla group that was defeated under former president Mr. Fujimori. In less than two days with crack special forces intervention all workers were liberated and according to company officials and Peruvian government representatives no ransom was paid as had been originally demanded. However insistent rumors in Lima and police sources indicate the contrary.

"Over 400 terrorists have been set free in one year, all military sentences for terrorist activities have been disavowed and life imprisonment considered unconstitutional. Terrorists have wings again and with new wings Shinning Path is reorganizing", stressed the former president who ruled Peru for ten years with an iron hand.

Mr. Fujimori remarks surprise current president Alejandro Toledo in a very week position. Mr. Toledo is cornered by public discontent, weak Congressional support and a record 82% disapproval of his government.

"We're playing with fire in a country with a democracy in transition. Either we defend governance and democracy or we don't", said Mr. Toledo who emphasized he will not appeal to "populist" measures to appease protest demonstrations.

"In 22 months we can't solve structural problems, but I will not become a populist. I'm being punished for a responsible management of the Peruvian economy", he insisted.

In 2002 the Peruvian economy after four years of recession expanded 5% and in the first quarter of 2003 growth was even stronger.

Mr. Toledo took office in July 2001 following presidential elections after the demise and exile in Japan of Mr. Fujimori who's under investigation on human rights violations and corruption charges.