The Angolan government (MPLA) said that it was still attempting to gain the release of seven Portuguese hostages held by Cabinda separatists. The seven have been kidnapped by a faction of the Cabinda Enclave Liberation Front (FLEC is the Portuguese acronym). The FLEC did hold eight prisoners, but recently released one man. Five of the Portuguese were kidnapped in early March 2001. The other three were kidnapped in May 2000.