1.   In a December communique, the group blamed the abduction on a band of rebel deserters and Colombian soldiers posing as FARC.

2.   Russian authorities blamed the abduction on Chechen rebels.

3.   Speaking at a news conference, Adan Guerra blamed the abduction on rearmed former Contra rebels and said they apparently were seeking the release of a jailed fellow rebel.

4.   The abduction was blamed on a rogue rebel commander, whose act was disowned by the left.

5.   The abductions were blamed on members of the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim extremist group based in the southern Philippines.

6.   The abductions have been blamed on the shadowy Al-Faran group, which has claimed the hostages have been seized by the Indian army.

7.   The abductions were blamed on former Moslem rebels turned bandits.