5TH WEEK PASSES IN PERU CAPTIVITY : 73 MEN STILL HOSTAGE AS POLICE STEP UP ACTIVITY, REBELS FIRE SHOTS.

Byline: Associated Press 

Police have stepped up maneuvers around the mansion seized by leftist rebels to set the stage for talks to free the 73 men held captive for more than five weeks, Peru's chief negotiator said Saturday.

Police have been more active in recent days, driving by the Japanese ambassador's home in troop carriers, flying overhead in a helicopter and even tossing stones onto the grounds. Late Friday, they staged what appeared to be a mock raid outside the walled compound.

Several gunshots were heard coming from inside the mansion late Saturday afternoon. There was no immediate explanation but there have been similar bursts previously in response to what rebels say was police provocation.

Red Cross representative Jean Pierre Schaerer, who visited the mansion after the shooting, said no one was hurt by the gunfire.

Education Minister Domingo Palermo insisted authorities had peaceful motives in their maneuvers.

``The police forces are making a series of preparations for the eventual exit of the (rebels) to begin talks,'' he said at a news conference. ``In no way does it mean anything else.''

The issue of holding talks has been stalled. The rebels say they will not negotiate unless the government is willing to discuss their key demand: freedom for hundreds of their jailed comrades.

President Alberto Fujimori has rejected the demand, insisting it is not negotiable.

Palermo did not offer a date for the beginning of talks to end the crisis, which has dragged on since Tupac Amaru guerrillas raided the ambassador's home during a gala party Dec. 17.

But if talks are held, they likely would take place in a house across the street from the mansion. Last week, Red Cross officials were seen inspecting nearby homes.