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Bold Nicolas Sarkozy/Luis Eladio Pérez plan to free hostages

Many of the finer details are not available yet, but some information has been released or leaked to Argentina's El Clarín and to Paris Match. El Tiempo is updating its website with additional information right now.

Apparently former hostage Luis Eladio Pérez came up with the original idea and had previously said he would talk to Uribe, Chávez and Sarzoky. It has been developed further since then. Reportedly, FARC has already agreed with certain parts of the plan, but some details are not ready yet.

Apparently Uribe heard the initial proposal, and he has accepted to work on a legal framework to free guerrillas accused of crimes against humanity (I wonder if the "Justice and Peace" paras will demand similar treatment...?).

The known details include: No DMZ in Colombia, direct exchange between France and FARC in French Guyana or elsewhere, political asylum for some of the freed guerrilla leaders, and a different treatment for FARC as a whole if they stop kidnapping and using other terrorist methods,

This "different treatment", according to El Clarín, may include a removal from European terror lists, political asylum for the guerrillas in French soil, and a so-called "political recognition of FARC as a belligerent force".

The one issue that seems worrying is this one, precisely. Would FARC gain political recognition OR belligerent status? They are not one and the same, even if they are removed from terror lists. Some people equate both, but they are very different. That may be their aspiration, but only time will tell what actually happens...

Other than that...I wonder if this revelation is prudent at this time.
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ES UNA INICIATIVA DE UN EX PRISIONERO DE LA GUERRILLA DE COLOMBIA QUE ENTUSIASMO AL PRESIDENTE FRANCES

Audaz plan de Sarkozy para que las FARC liberen a los rehenes

Ya hay detalles acordados con la guerrilla. Entregarían a Ingrid Betancourt y a los restantes cautivos en Martinica o en la Guyana francesa. A cambio liberarían a líderes rebeldes y Francia daría un trato diferente a la organización.
Por: María Laura Avignolo

Fuente: PARIS CORRESPONSAL
El presidente Nicolas Sarkozy organiza un plan para liberar a los rehenes en manos de la guerrilla de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia. Sería a cambio de rebeldes importantes detenidos, en un intercambio directo entre las FARC y Francia que podría realizarse en la Guyana Francesa o en Martinica, dos territorios franceses de ultramar.

El plan original pertenece al ex rehén y ex congresista colombiano Luis Eladio Pérez y se lo presentó al presidente francés en su despacho del Palacio del Eliseo. La estrategia está avanzada e incluso algunos aspectos fueron modificados por los franceses.

Pérez debe viajar mañana a Caracas y a Bogotá para entrevistarse con el presidente, Hugo Chávez y con Alvaro Uribe. El objetivo de las reuniones que serán durante la próxima semana es ultimar detalles que ya han sido acordados con la guerrilla.

Sarkozy estaría dispuesto a dar a las FARC un trato diferente si dejan de utilizar métodos terroristas, como los secuestros.

El ex legislador pasó seis años en poder de la guerrilla y fue el compañero de cautiverio de la ex candidata presidencial franco-colombiana Ingrid Betancourt, a quien vio desfalleciente y deprimida por última vez el 4 de febrero, antes de su liberación. En su testimonio relata que Ingrid está forzada a vivir con varios rehenes enfermos mentales, que se masturban y que los guerrilleros trataron de violarla.

En una entrevista con el semanario Paris Match, el ex congresista colombiano detalló el plan original y admitió que fue modificado en la última semana antes de su viaje a París, tras contar con la aprobación de las FARC. La guerrilla busca intercambiar 39 rehenes políticos, entre ellos Ingrid Betancourt y tres estadounidenses, contra la liberación de 500 guerrilleros prisioneros.

Pérez cree que la guerrilla está buscando una solución política, está convencido que Uribe "aceptará el plan. Francia va a jugar un rol crucial, pero debemos ser discretos", dijo Pérez. También cree que hay una voluntad de las FARC de negociar la liberación de los rehenes, "más allá de sus posiciones divergentes", cuya ala militar es hostil a una negociación política con Uribe.

Según fuentes que accedieron al plan, este incluye el reconocimiento político de las FARC como fuerza beligerante, la supresión de la guerrilla de la lista europea de organizaciones terroristas y una proposición de asilo de los guerrilleros liberados en territorio francés.

Pérez señaló que "por primera vez, pareciera que las FARC quieren avanzar políticamente.

No se le debe cerrar la puerta, como yo le he dicho al presidente Uribe, que parece haber entendido", declaró a Paris Match.

Pérez también advirtió en esa nota que "no se resolverá el problema militar mientras persistan los factores de la violencia como la miseria o la desigualdad".

El ex congresista lo que ha conseguido del mandatario colombiano es "inicialmente establecer un marco legal que permita la liberación de guerrilleros acusados de crímenes de lesa humanidad".

"Yo creo que él va a aceptar la voluntad política de reconocer a las FARC para permitir un acuerdo entre prisioneros de guerra, militares y policías contra guerrilleros", continuó Pérez.

Entonces, ¿en qué contexto serían liberados los rehenes civiles? "Estos rehenes, incluida Ingrid Betancourt, serán liberados como un gesto político de las FARC porque ellos no cambian civiles por militares", explicó.

Según Pérez, la famosa zona desmilitarizada que exigen las FARC debería ser evitada. Esa fue su propoción a Sarkozy: "Presidente Uribe, déme usted los guerrilleros encarcelados, los grandes, no los pequeños, los que interesan a las FARC. Nosotros haremos directamente el intercambio entre Francia y la guerrilla. No hay necesidad de zona desmilitarizada, ni necesidad -como lo pide Uribe- de que los guerrilleros juren sobre la Biblia que ellos no volverán al combate después de la liberación".

Entonces, si todo sale bien el intercambio sería en la Guyana Francesa -costa norte de América del Sur entre Brasil y Surinam- o en Martinica -una de las Antillas Menores del Caribe-. "Francia podría dar asilo a algunos de ellos, como Simón Trinidad", miembro del secretariado de las FARC preso en EE.UU., lo que facilitaría el triángulo Washington-París-Bogotá para avanzar en en la liberación. "La voluntad política está. Es necesario un poco de entusiasmo para que, en unos días, Ingrid esté con nosotros".

http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/03/22/elmundo/i-03215.htm

By juancegomez on Mar 22, 2008, 17:52 in Politics & the war.

Sam Salmon says on Mar 22, 2008, 18:07:

" political asylum for the guerrillas in French soil"

Well they can have the bastards and the bastards can all rot in the Green Boring Hell that is French Guyana.

I wonder what the French electorate thinks of this?

In addition-anyone who thinks FARC is going to quit dealing dope/kidnapping and murdering has been out in the sun too long.

' a la orden!'

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 22, 2008, 18:18:

As I've said before, what's best for the hostages is not always what's best for Colombia. This is definitely true in this case. I understand that Luis Eladio wants to help the hostages and I feel for him for the ordeal he went through. However, this plan has too high a cost for releasing the hostages. Besides, the plan is too convoluted and is bound to fail. Also, which hostages would be released? It seems like Sarkozy only cares about Ingrid anyway.

I'm so glad that Sarkozy is so willing to "treat the farc differently" if they promise to be good boys and not kidnap anybody or blow up small towns for a while. Before he proposes taking the farc off the terrorist lists and granting them belligerent status, he can lead by example and declare belligerent status for the hordes of young muslim thugs that terrorize the suburbs of Paris on a nightly basis. That makes about as much sense as doing it for the farc. By this logic, Al Queda would be eligible for belligerent status. Maybe ETA can join in the fun as well. Too bad Algerian terrorists aren't still operating in France. We could sign them up as well.

If the farc are ever granted belligerent status, the first thing they would do is declare all military, police and politician hostages as legitimate prisoners of war. Chavez and all his ladies in waiting would become more bold and open about helping "the bolivarian revolution". We should do everything possible to gain the release of the hostages as long as it isn't detrimental to the overall wellbeing and safety of Colombia and its people. This plan is not the right solution.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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durito says on Mar 22, 2008, 19:18:

I don't believe the President of France has any ability to singlehandedly remove a group from the EU's terrorist list, and I doubt the rest of Europe will go along.

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aztec says on Mar 23, 2008, 03:55:

"It is a shit argument." "Better you shut up." buggy

You are such a nice little boy! And such an educated and sophisticated vocabulary.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 07:07:

Buggy, you are so full of shit you can't even put together a coherent argument. First, you say that the muslim youths rioted a WHOLE TWO YEARS AGO. I guess since they are only shooting at cops now and burning police stations (late November 2007 and earlier this month) instead of burning cars, the problem is solved in your eyes. Do you hang out in the banlieues? Just last week, French police conducted raids to round up muslim thugs.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7300408.stm

Then you state that the Algerian terrorists are still operating in France because of an action TWELVE YEARS AGO. You are so determined to make a point that you don't even make sense. By your logic, something that happened two years ago (and continues to have effects) is not relevant to French security issues, while something that happened twelve years ago is.

I see that my comments hit a nerve. It isn't so nice when foreigners make light of the violence in your country, is it? Now you see how we feel when you offer your asinine opinions about the security situation in Colombia. Everything that spews from your small mind is a "shit argument".

BTW, I'm really scared that you told me to shut up. Since you call us para sympathizers, I guess I better run to the Aguilas Negras for protection.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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Rikito says on Mar 23, 2008, 07:39:

Hey Buggy...Happy Easter!

...and so it goes

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Mr. Hollywood says on Mar 23, 2008, 09:10:

I think the Government of France should put up a multi-billion dollar escrow account as a sort of "bail" for the FARC scumbags they're considering freeing and the leadership to whom they're considering offering asylum. Each time one of these characters "backslides" and commits a crime, the people of Colombia get to keep another cool Billion as reparations.

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 09:29:

... yet you keep posting Cassini

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 09:30:

.

Robi...........are those real leather gloves you are wearing in this picture...?.

.

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 09:42:

Buggy......I have Robi's home address if you want it............

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 09:47:

And Buggy................." buggy says

" You are a very little person with very little ideas."

This is a photo of Robi..........you are so right...........as always..

.

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 09:49:

They're to small to see.........

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 11:31:

I am on the same line as Robi. I have said before that Sarkosky just cares about getting released Ingrid to him to boost his approval ratings.

Cassini, you don´t even live here, what do you know?

About what Juance said: I don´t think paras can object much. Paracos got a very sweet deal. After they´re done with they little stint, nobody is going to go after them, whereas demobilized Farianos... who knows. One has to remember that FARC and AUC are, most of the time, not very educated people, hence not forgiving. My impression is that people in Locombia see FARC as the root of all problems and a very large % of population see paras as a natural response to them.

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 11:44:

So you are CASSINI after all...
You should check what ID you are signed on as before you answer...

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 11:47:

... but you living in France do ?

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 14:53:

is he in your ignore list?

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 15:00:

Now, you guys, hold it right there!

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 15:02:

I asked b/c he kept saying not so nice things, and with you writting in the thread and not saying anything seemed like he was in your ignore list.

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 15:03:

I deleted his comment and yours too.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 15:11:

Just ignore him.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 15:27:

I'm not so sure....it didn't look like he was joking to me. Perhaps you know him better. I know you've been at it before...and I'm not letiing this rather interesting thread be ruined by some silly fighting.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 15:35:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall a past incident when you two guys were exchanging insults.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 16:15:

Robi......why do you like sleeping with Cassini and Gib..?

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 16:18:

Yes, I deleted another post of his. It was a kind of generic ad hominem attack at all bus drivers in London.

Whatever, we'll deal with him; it's our business. The same with buggy/cassini. At our time, in our way. There's several things that have to be taken into consideration when deleting people when there are no new inscriptions.

If you have any further comments on my moderation please send me a p.m...or even better, send Peter or Colombiche a p.m.

Cheers!

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 23, 2008, 16:48:

È gran pazzia lu cuntrastari cu du' nun pô vinciri né appattari... Si o No ?

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 16:49:

Cassini/Buggy immediately reverts to personal attacks. Since he is incapable of defending his nonsensical arguments, he threatens people, insults them and generally shows himself to be a pathetic troll. He never enters into a rational debate. When he told me I didn't know anything about French security problems, he didn't respond when I answered with facts. He just jumped on me for exactly quoting his comment about shit arguments. In any case, he is mildly entertaining in the way a dog is entertaining when they chase their tail incessantly. However, his entertainment value quickly fades and he just becomes an object of pity.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 16:54:

Robi, keep private messages private.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 16:59:

.

.............Desi, might I suggest that you just delete Robi's account...............or control it in such a way, that he can only post in Bolivia section....................

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 17:01:

Sound like a good idea, Ray.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 17:14:

So, what you a re saying is that I should delete jack_jason for ad hominem attacks because this was the third time?

How about deleting you instead for publishing private messages? Ok, first time, just a warning. We haven't implemented that system yet.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 17:23:

Robi, I'm dead serious about this: I'm extremely unhappy about your posting private correspondence here. PM's are meant to keep private. I am going to have a serious trust issue with you, robi.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 17:23:

Do it Desiiiiiiiii.............ZAP him..............swat.....swat......swat.................

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 23, 2008, 17:33:

LOL Ray.
Gods, Robi, that was not intentional...you didn't need to bring that one up...second time. So. I'm not perfect, who is? You?

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 17:45:

Robi.............Desi's paltry salary for being a moderator is only $125,000. It is obviously a thankless job. She gets the opportunity to read many intelligent comments, mostly mine. She also has to read an awful load of stupid comments, mostly yours.

Robi............why do you hate people from Finland....??

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 18:11:

Q: Is this now considered hickjacking a post?

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 18:13:

They're like El Gordo y El Flaco of PBH. They take their act on the road and hit all the swankiest threads. At least they're entertaining.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 23, 2008, 18:24:

Well. El Gordo y El Gordo doesn't sound right. "El Gordo y El Flaco" is the Spanish name for Laurel and Hardy. I wasn't actually calling you two fat.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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RAAAY says on Mar 23, 2008, 18:36:

Robi..............why is it that EVERYBODY has different ideas from you..?

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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aztec says on Mar 24, 2008, 07:27:

I am aghast at some of the comments of buggy/cassini. Do people in Europe really think like that?

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Rikito says on Mar 24, 2008, 07:47:

Desideria, it is amazing to me that a socialist country like Sweden produces so much parochial censorship. Freedom of speech is the most precious freedom that a person has and you seem to feel that you are the arbiter of what is and what isn’t correct. Sounds like you would be better off working with the Saudi internet. Unless you own this site and unless people are clearly made known of the rules, I challenge your sophomoric right to restrict what a person says. This was tried in the 1930’s in Europe and it failed…apparently with the exception of Sweden.

I don’t like Buggy/Cassini or people of his ilk who feel that they have intelligence far greater than anyone else. In the case of Buggy/Cassini, he or she gives ample evidence as to why many people, especially Americans, feel that France is not worth flushing down the toilet. There are several others in here I choose to discount anything they say as disingenuous, AND I am sure there are many in here that would rather pound sand up there ass than to give any credence to what I say, but freedom of speech is just that…freedom. I understand that in Sweden there is a pick and choose element of social correctness, but people should be allowed to say what they think as long as it relates to Colombia and the topic being discussed. If you want to police something try to keep people on the topic instead of allowing comments to degenerate into useless discussion, bad jokes or abuse, such as what this topic has degenerated to. Your recent actions of political correctness are probably one of the reasons what many worthwhile PBHrs have gone elsewhere…such as CatherineB. That and Buggy/Cassini.

Why is it that almost all of the PC/social police are women?

Des, make the rules, advise people clearly and without the parochial PC crap, and apply them consistently and fairly. Post the rules so that people have to read and agree to them every time they log on. Don’t try to regulate what someone can or cannot say based on your view of the world…you do not do a very good job of it.

...and so it goes

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 24, 2008, 08:12:

Rikito, you see that little monkey next to the box where you write your comments? If you click on "be nice" the rules of this forum are all spelled out for you. I didn't make them but I agree with them. As long as Peter trusts my judgement I will continue moderating this forum using the original intention, the spirit of this travel forum and the rules written down by the owner as my guide. It has nothing to do with Sweden, my personality or being politically correct.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Rikito says on Mar 24, 2008, 08:25:

I disagree with you completely...you allow your personal/social views to cloud your thinking. But this is not the palce to debate them. You are the boss and the boss must be obyed and not questioned. Just remember the number of wonderful contributors we have lost since you have imposed your will.

...and so it goes

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aztec says on Mar 24, 2008, 08:52:

"Just remember the number of wonderful contributors we have lost" Rikito

And they have been replaced by the likes of buggy/cassini. At least some of those who left provided information that might be useful for those who actually travel/live in Colombia.

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RAAAY says on Mar 24, 2008, 08:56:

Yeah........where's the guy with the information on taxi drivers and their remote controlled exploding cell phones...??

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 24, 2008, 08:59:

Ja Ja. What's funny was that coming back from Colombia recently, I picked up a Maxim en Español in MIA and it had an article on how to turn a disposable camera into a shock device, but it made me laugh because of the whole stun gun cellphone taxi driver thread.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 24, 2008, 13:38:

Buggy, the comparison is so ridiculous that it does not need to be addressed. It's all part of the job; I have nothing else than my own common sense to go on. I don't think it's personal, in any ways, since this "Rikito" does not know me or have any idea of how I think. If I started a fight with every right-winger here I'd be involved in a hundred battles every day. He has a low opinion of me; what can I do, perhaps he's not a top performer in my book either; we'll let it at that.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 24, 2008, 13:41:

I think eveyone is enttitled to an opinion (even Cassini). What I found hard to convey is being judge and part.

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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Rikito says on Mar 24, 2008, 18:34:

Just had a very interesting experience. I wrote and submitted a comment about the ability of a person to arbitrily restrict the free expression of another and the posted was deleted by the monitor.

Oh well, freedom of speech, like life, is just an experiment anyway...right Des?

...and so it goes

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 25, 2008, 01:34:

I haven't deleted anything you wrote, Rikito. I just woke up.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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