Hostage drama tightens screws on Uribe's government

Hostage drama tightens screws on Uribe's government
1 hour, 45 minutes ago

BOGOTA (AFP) - Pressure was mounting Friday on Colombia's conservative government to make concessions to leftist rebels to secure the release of hostages such as Franco-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt, now said to be gravely ill.

AFP/File Photo: A giant poster of Ingrid Bentacourt, the
Franco-Colombian hostage held by FARC guerrillas.

Four former Colombian lawmakers newly released from years in the jungle urged President Alvaro Uribe to withdraw temporarily from two towns in southwestern Colombia -- a key rebel precondition for a prisoner exchange.

"I publicly challenge President Alvaro Uribe to prove the success of his security policy by withdrawing from Pradera and Florida," Luis Eladio Perez told a press conference in Caracas on Thursday, a day after his release.

Earlier, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez proposed that select Latin American and European countries host talks to negotiate the release of all hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

"It's an idea that is taking shape, among this group of countries," Chavez said Thursday on state television network VTV.

Brazil, Argentina, France, Ecuador, Bolivia, Cuba and Switzerland support the idea, and the only obstacle to going forward is the Colombian government's opposition, he said.

Friday, Uribe told La FM radio his government has no opinion on Chavez's proposal.

"The government has no opinion on that, but we continue to seek in every way the release of our kidnapped compatriots," Uribe said.

Bogota has rejected the rebel demand that government forces withdraw completely for 45 days from the two towns, proposing instead to call a truce while negotiations take place.

The FARC wants to exchange 39 of its hostages -- believed to total around 750 -- for 500 of its fighters held in Colombian prisons.

Uribe's words were not likely to satisfy heartbroken hostage family members.

Betancourt's husband Juan Carlos Lecompte said Friday Uribe is not supportive.

"He is totally non-sympathetic. I do not understand how he can sleep knowing that there are thousands of Colombians in the same situation as my wife rotting in the jungle, on the brink of death," Lecompte told Chile's Radio Cooperativa.

Lecompte later Friday sent a message to his captive wife on Caracol Radio: "Your children's lives are not on stand-by. They are well," he said.

"You, please make sure to eat, do your exercises and keep your mind clean. We all are waiting for you," he added.

Twice this year, the Colombian rebels have unconditionally handed hostages over to Chavez, in a snub of US ally Uribe who late last year fired the leftist Venezuelan president from his role attempting to mediate a prisoner swap.

On January 10, the FARC freed two other hostages in the first such gesture in more than five years: former lawmaker Consuelo Gonzalez, and Clara Rojas, who was Betancourt's campaign manager and was kidnapped along with her in 2002.

The FARC has suggested no more hostages would be freed unless a deal is reached on a military withdrawal.

Also still in captivity are three Americans seized by rebels in 2003 whom Perez described as in poor health and "fairly beaten up psychologically."

The three gave him letters they had written to President George W. Bush, the three top presidential candidates and other political leaders, but rebels confiscated the documents before he was freed, Perez said.

By sloopskipper on Feb 29, 2008, 12:46 in Politics & the war.

sloopskipper says on Feb 29, 2008, 12:48:

bump

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juancegomez says on Feb 29, 2008, 13:01:

What bothers me, besides everything else I could say about Uribe's position, is that the four ex-hostages, some hostage relatives and even Chávez do not consider the fact that there are thousands of potential victims of FARC kidnapping, extortion and recruitment in the two municipalities, which deserve just as much protection and consideration as the 40-50 "exchangeable" hostages.

That doesn't mean I share Uribe's current position, which also includes political and strategical considerations, but I do think the issue needs far more attention and flexibility than either party is giving it.

Again, I'd be "aggressively reasonable" if this were up to me:

I'd be willing to immediately demilitarize the two municipalities under certain conditions (heavy international observation, for example) that will protect the population and prevent FARC from engaging in additional crimes.

That would at least force us to move forward, not just talk about a mere "piece of land".

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sloopskipper says on Feb 29, 2008, 13:03:

I do not envy his position. As much as I have read, there is still much I don't understand about the situation.

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Medellin Traveler says on Feb 29, 2008, 14:21:

"Twice this year, the Colombian rebels have unconditionally handed hostages over" with this, I think Uribe needs to make a bold enough move to keep the good-will momentum moving forward, for the benefit of all the hostages. And, to make Chavez a non-factor in any and ALL future negotiations with the FARC.

juancegomez says, "Again, I'd be "aggressively reasonable" if this were up to me:

I'd be willing to immediately demilitarize the two municipalities under certain conditions (heavy international observation, for example) that will protect the population and prevent FARC from engaging in additional crimes.

That would at least force us to move forward, not just talk about a mere "piece of land"."

I completely agree and support your statement, only wish Uribe would feel the same way.

It's Uribe's move, he must stop talking about doing something and proceed forward with actions which would promote positive results.

The time to act is NOW!

La cuidad de la primavera, estoy feliz porque te vuelvo a ver - www.medellintraveler.com

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Feb 29, 2008, 15:00:

JC Wrote: "I'd be willing to immediately demilitarize the two municipalities under certain conditions (heavy international observation, for example) that will protect the population and prevent FARC from engaging in additional crimes."

AND CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME....

engage brain before opening mouth

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juancegomez says on Feb 29, 2008, 15:32:

That too, but the amount of time is already more or less set (30-45 days), considering what we've heard from the government, FARC and others about the subject. There will be a time limit, in any case.

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fecherklyn says on Feb 29, 2008, 16:27:

Agreed...agreed to all you have collectively said up to now. BUT:

But what bothers me is that a lot of ink gets used without (to my mind) really addressing one major factor.....ARE THE RELEASED FARC TO BE ALLOWED TO RESUME THEIR PREVIOUS ACTIVITIES. Thats a great deal for the FARC if there are no conditions attached to what they are allowed to do.

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Medellin Traveler says on Feb 29, 2008, 16:43:

It is my understanding that many FARC members in prison do not want to return to the prison in the jungle.

La cuidad de la primavera, estoy feliz porque te vuelvo a ver - www.medellintraveler.com

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billyb says on Feb 29, 2008, 16:46:

over 600 signed a petition to that effect.

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