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Colombian President Uribe says FARC ready to release hostages

Now we know who was holding back the release of the hostages. Poor buggy was wrong on all counts.

Sat May 24, 9:58 PM ET

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Saturday he has received "calls" from some Marxist FARC rebel leaders who claimed they were ready to hand themselves over and free hostages including Franco-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt.

In a potentially major breakthrough, just after Colombia confirmed the death of FARC leader Manuel Marulanda, Uribe said "the government has received calls from the FARC in which some of the leaders announced their decision to leave the FARC and hand over Ingrid Betancourt if their freedom is guaranteed.

"The government's answer is 'yes, they are guaranteed freedom'" if they handed over hostages, Uribe said.

In a speech carried live on national television, Uribe said those leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who free the captives could be turned over to authorities from "France, so that they enjoy that freedom there."

The president also touted the government's offer to reward rebels up to a total of 100 million dollars when they turn themselves in alongside one or more hostages.

Uribe spoke from the town of Florida, in an 800-square-mile (2,050-square-kilometer) zone in the southwest which the FARC has asked to be demilitarized in order to negotiate a swap of high-profile hostages for jailed guerrillas.

The FARC have in their control Betancourt, a former Colombian presidential candidate who is both a Colombian and French national, three US nationals and dozens of Colombian police and military staff. They want to swap the hostages for some 500 imprisoned comrades including three in US jails.

Earlier Saturday the army announced the death of FARC leader Manuel Marulanda, in a major development in its fight against Latin America's oldest insurgency.

"Manuel Marulanda or 'Sure Shot,' the main leader of the FARC, is dead," an army spokesman said, adding that he "died March 26 at 6:30pm. The cause of death is yet to be determined."

His replacement as FARC leader will be Alfonso Cano, seen as the group's ideological leader, the spokesman said.

The elusive Marulanda, who was about 80 when he died, founded the FARC over four decades ago. He has been rumored to be dead at least 17 times.

"If (the FARC) are going to say that the information we have is not true, they must prove it," the statement said, boasting that "whether Marulanda died in an air raid or of natural causes, this would be the hardest blow that this terrorist group has taken, since 'Sure Shot' was the one who kept the criminal organization united."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080525/ts_afp/colombiarebelshostagesfran...

By tasco66 on May 25, 2008, 07:01 in Politics & the war.

romy says on May 25, 2008, 07:04:

"guaranteed freedom" cannot be good. FARC has to pay for their crimes.

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Man Tequila says on May 25, 2008, 07:13:

I don't know how I feel with a deal, but in the interests of peace some compromise is usually needed. The release of the hostages is a welcome start.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 07:18:

Get a grip. You are in no position to bargain romy.

Welcome to France Alfonso.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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romy says on May 25, 2008, 07:19:

100 million dollars and guaranteed freedom is no compromise... it's getting down on your knees. I can see the Paras coming out to complain why they had to serve 7 years...impunity lives on

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 07:25:

100 million total.
Freedom.
Hoastages released.

I guess that last point matters little to someone such as yourself. Thanks for posting.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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webmanco says on May 25, 2008, 07:29:

Media manipulation from the government.

In case it is true it shows again the lack of power of our military forces including that of paramilitares in order to rule our country.

The death from natural causes of "Sure shot" and the murder of Ivan Rojas, and surrender of Karina, although a loss to the Farcs, can not be taken as a victory from Colombia Military forces. If any it means in the case of Ivan Rojas and the surrender of Karina that the Farcs got some internal problems.

Lots of social investment would be needed, if that has not been the case until now, I hope to see the social work done with the truthfull "reinsertados", whereever they come from.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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romy says on May 25, 2008, 07:32:

Yes, I'm against all impunity... maybe you don't understand the consequences rocinante, that's ok. Obviously the release of hostages is good as would be the end of FARC, but this is not the way.

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 07:37:

Those who know what's best for us must rise and save us from ourselves. Uribe is as ignorant as I am. Romy call him and inform him of the consequencces of impunity.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 25, 2008, 07:40:

In a speech carried live on national television, Uribe said those leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who free the captives could be turned over to authorities from "France, so that they enjoy that freedom there."

Poor French...

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 07:42:

Be careful what you say Kat1 - France is in Europe.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 25, 2008, 07:45:

i know soon they will be finding their way out to here poor us :((((

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slguy says on May 25, 2008, 07:49:

don't worry, kat. we've got your back. ;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 25, 2008, 07:52:

jajaja, slguy, have the boat on stand by in case I need to evacuated soon

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Gator says on May 25, 2008, 07:52:

How soon we forget. Former President Andres Pastrana, in 1998, granted a demilitarized safe haven to the guerrillas the size of Switzerland. Nothing changed except demands escalated and nothing changed. As there were no conditions attached to the zone and its estimated 250.000 inhabitants - none of whom had been consulted about whether they wanted to live under guerrilla rule - the rebels did exactly what they pleased.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 07:59:

This is now. Thank you.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Gator says on May 25, 2008, 08:29:

It is ?????????????? Thanks for the update

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 08:40:

Welcome to the new era of optimism and results. Glad you could make it. Tell Pastrana that there is a new president bucking old trends. Has an 83% approval rating, unprecidented numbers accross the board and he will even be elected a third time. Did this happen in 1998?

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Gator says on May 25, 2008, 08:57:

Whoa! How did you EVER get the impression I was a backer of Pastrana. We are firm Uribe supporters. I posted to show what PAST presidents had attempted and how misguided and ill conceived such actions were.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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slguy says on May 25, 2008, 09:12:

kat, i'm having a light delivered. use it as needed..
Photobucket

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 25, 2008, 09:21:

My guess is that President Sarkozy suddenly gets cold feet about inviting a bunch of cold-blooded FARC killers to be his neighbors in Paris.

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juancegomez says on May 25, 2008, 09:27:

I'll believe it when I see it. This mass hostage release seems a bit premature and could be an exaggeration.

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slguy says on May 25, 2008, 09:34:

"I'll believe it when I see it"

me too.

but, it seems conceivable, given the losses sustained by those bastards lately. if their public losses are so substantial, one has to wonder how weak they are privately. deaths are one thing - but a haggard junkyard dog's surrender is pretty telling.....

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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sanandressi says on May 25, 2008, 10:00:

Sounds as if the FARC is imploding from within....due to Uribe's pressure. I have no doubt that Uribe would send in helicopters and troops and destroy anything that moves in the jungle IF the FARC did not have those hostages.

If Marulanda was the glue that held the group together then they are probably bickering and fighting from within. Who was the guerilla leader killed by his own bodyguard and then Karina surrenders and of course Raul Reyes.

I wonder too if Uribe sent para's to the United States last week to help get the free trade thing passed in Washington. I think it will pass sooner or later....why would Avianca start direct Dulles Bogota flights?

Uribe is no dummy. First, disarm the para's, whether he was associated with them or not, ELN has been reduced to little, and then militarily attack the FARC. It seems to be working. However, easy money via drugs is a problem in Colombia correct? I understand that at one time there were like 11 seperate guerilla groups in the country. Until the wealth of the country gets to the poor in the countryside then this could go on forever!

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aztec says on May 25, 2008, 10:03:

kat1, Are we talking about that England which has been surrendered to the EU in Brussels?

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 10:52:

Gator - No one said you are a backer of Pastrana - you just give the impression that because Pastrana failed, a different president 10 years ago who made 0 headway against everything (opposite is true for Uribe, YES?!), that history will repeat when in fact it has not. Your comment again:

"How soon we forget. Former President Andres Pastrana, in 1998, granted a demilitarized safe haven to the guerrillas the size of Switzerland. NOTHING CHANGED except demands escalated and NOTHING CHANGED. As there were no conditions attached to the zone and its estimated 250.000 inhabitants - none of whom had been consulted about whether they wanted to live under guerrilla rule - THE REBELS DID EXACTLY WHAT THEY PLEASED."

What you say is true but "This is now"

Had Pastrana at that time accomplished ANYTHING remotely close to what Uribe has accomplisehed? I think not even close.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Sam Salmon says on May 25, 2008, 10:59:

"I'll believe it when I see it. This mass hostage release seems a bit premature and could be an exaggeration"

Agree about being premature but that's part of the propaganda war.

As to the French Man Alive are they going to have problems!!

' a la orden!'

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slguy says on May 25, 2008, 11:04:

i wonder which of their 4 levels of alert the french are in now, with uribe's announcement?

run
hide
surrender
collaborate

?

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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aztec says on May 25, 2008, 11:04:

rocinante, I think you misunderstood Gators remarks. He is not a supporter of Prastrana's nor has he been.

His comments struck me entirely different than your perception. For example, I interpreted them to be in support of the successful administration of Uribe as opposed to the futile attempts of his predecessorr.

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sanandressi says on May 25, 2008, 11:13:

Pastrana was a good president but maybe only in way you might not think. They say he spent more time outside the country then in country while president. Silly.

However, by giving the FARC that DMZ area he gave the FARC every chance to peacefully find an end to the conflict and what did Colombia learn from the FARC's actions? That they are drug trafficking terrorists who did not want peace. They, the FARC, continued to attack small towns and police during the whole peace proces with Pastrana. Pastrana even sent the military after them when his patience ran out. He was not going to leave that sitution for the next president....Uribe...so Pastrana paved the way for Uribe in a way and even Pastrana seemed to recognize that peace talks would not work. Something Ingrid should have realized before venturing into captivity.

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Gator says on May 25, 2008, 13:03:

Aztec, exacto, gracias.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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kalder says on May 25, 2008, 13:17:

England has been stripped naked and bound to a rack. What Napoleon and Hitler couldn't achieve through force of arms has been effected by a cabal of homegrown politicos and lawyers.

Death to the EU.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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Sam Salmon says on May 25, 2008, 14:55:

"i wonder which of their 4 levels of alert the french are in now, with uribe's announcement?
run
hide
surrender
collaborate"

LOL!!

Old jokes are best!

' a la orden!'

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 16:02:

"rocinante, I think you misunderstood Gators remarks. He is not a supporter of Prastrana's nor has he been." Aztec.

I never said he was. My reply is to his comment - here are both in order. If you find something where you believe that I insinuate that Gator is a Pastrana supporter please let me know. I thought I was addressing his comparison of today's situation to a situation he brought up that happened 10 years ago:

Gator:

"How soon we forget. Former President Andres Pastrana, in 1998, granted a demilitarized safe haven to the guerrillas the size of Switzerland. Nothing changed except demands escalated and nothing changed. As there were no conditions attached to the zone and its estimated 250.000 inhabitants - none of whom had been consulted about whether they wanted to live under guerrilla rule - the rebels did exactly what they pleased."

Me:

"Welcome to the new era of optimism and results. Glad you could make it. Tell Pastrana that there is a new president bucking old trends. Has an 83% approval rating, unprecidented numbers accross the board and he will even be elected a third time. Did this happen in 1998?"

I read them both again and it seems to me that I am yes referencing the differences between Pastrana and Uribe in regards to results and approval rating but how could I not based on his post? Doesn't mean I think he's a Pastrana supporter - I just don't agree with his comparison of then event and then President (he brought them up) and now event and now president.

Maybe my remarks were misunderstood.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 16:12:

He was saying "We've heard this before don't get your hopes up" and cited older events from Pastrana to back his pessimistic claim.

And I said "things are different now, so you can't entirely base the present the past" and I cited the progress of Uribe and events to back my optimistic claim.

No more no less...

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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