Book launch. “Ambassador’s Word: Hostage Taking in Peru 1996-97” by David Goldfield. The launch will take place at the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Cadieux Auditorium followed by a reception on Wednesday, December 12th - 5:30-7:30. The event is being co-sponsored by the Canadian Institute of International Affairs. Admission is free and open to the public. Speaking at the event will be Peter Boehm, ADM DFAIT, the Peruvian and Japanese Ambassador’s.
The book is a true story about a hostage taking of over 600 people at a pre-Christmas reception in the home of the Japanese Ambassador in Peru. The hostage taking was the work of a terrorist group in Peru who were trying to gain the release of hundreds of political prisoners from Peruvian jails. The story focuses on the role of the Canadian Ambassador Anthony Vincent, who along with his wife were amoung the hostages. After an early release Vincent went on to become one of the main intermediaries between the government and the hostages. The hostage crisis went on for an agonizing 4 months, and during this time Ambassador Vincent courageously sought a peaceful and non-violent solution to the standoff, putting himself at great personal risk as he voluntarily returned into the armed situation many times.
The author David Goldfield, is an Ottawa native and this is his first book. Goldfield is currently the CEO of an international finance company which specializes in Latin American investment opportunities and was formerly a Regional Director for Latin America at Export Development Canada (EDC). The book is being published by Ottawa’s Penumbra Press www.penumbrapress.ca
