Hostages will be released!

Gary Bala says on May 24, 2008, 21:22:

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

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robi666 says on May 24, 2008, 21:24:

Would be wonderful. Almost too good to be true.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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CatGirl says on May 24, 2008, 21:30:

Robbi - Please let me know if this is true...;))..I don;t believe since truth speaker was not the OP

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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billyb says on May 24, 2008, 21:30:

I hope to hell this is true. If it is, it is the best news I could hope for. It seems like the conflict is reaching its endgame.

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Medellin Traveler says on May 24, 2008, 21:47:

Uribe does it again, and again...

"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."

Uribe's mole is working overtime.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Frank Rizzo says on May 24, 2008, 21:48:

This would be great!!!!

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Medellin Traveler says on May 24, 2008, 21:50:

"They want to swap the hostages for some 500 imprisoned comrades including three in US jails."

At this point, why even bother?

Take the money and run for freedom, no?

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Alma del Norte says on May 24, 2008, 21:53:

"They want to swap the hostages for some 500 imprisoned comrades including three in US jails."

At this point, why even bother?

Take the money and run for freedom, no?"

Solidarity.

La vida es una rutina

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Lisa Zee says on May 24, 2008, 21:58:

Oh WOW, thank you Lord!!!. I hope and pray this happens, and all the poor kidnapped people get reunited with their loved ones.

Thanks billy! ;) muuuahh

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billyb says on May 24, 2008, 22:02:

The silence of some regarding this great news is deafening.

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Lisa Zee says on May 24, 2008, 22:06:

I think we are getting indeferent, when we hear things about FARC or hostages, We just don`t believe it I guess. I had no idea it was for real, or almost real.

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CatGirl says on May 24, 2008, 22:08:

This is quite some news if true... 3 in the US too eh?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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Alma del Norte says on May 24, 2008, 22:09:

Hey billyb! Remember it's very early in the morning/late at night. I am sure many are out enjoying themselves, (maybe celebrating Tirofijo's demise), and I should be too. If this is true, then FANTASTIC! I can hardly believe it - a bit stunned. And maybe, just maybe I'm going to have to eat my words amd admit that Uribe's pragmatism has been worthwhile. Maybe some negotiation has been ongoing afterall.

La vida es una rutina

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billyb says on May 24, 2008, 22:11:

Let's see, and as always with the cautionary "if it is true", Uribe has brought about the impending disintegration of the FARC, is getting them to release the hostages and is allowing the remaining FARC commnaders to get their release to the warm embrace of my good friend Buggy in france and all this without sacrificing an inch of Colombian sovereign territory to the narcoterrorists, and yet I can't help but think that some of our beloved euro-skeptics and others, will come back with, in slguy's famous credo for them, "yes, but" LOL.

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Medellin Traveler says on May 24, 2008, 22:12:

Uribe's skeletons are probably dancing in the closet, for very good reasons. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)

The iron fist with an open heart approach has definitely worked wonders.

If true, this is great for Colombia and more important, the COLOMBIAN PEOPLE!

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Alma del Norte says on May 24, 2008, 22:19:

Hey, how much do you want me to give? Wonderful news, but just being careful. I'm like this with everything, bit of a pessimist. It's been 40 years, a little less than my lifetime, and it's all over now? Perhaps. Great! Bien hecho.

La vida es una rutina

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Lisa Zee says on May 24, 2008, 22:20:

billy: te imaginas esos malditos montaneros en Francia!!!??? comiendo pan Francés y quezo, nada de patacon pisao, ni chicharrones, yo creo después de un tiempo, van a rogar que los regresen a Colombia, mejor en una cárcel en Colombia comiendo arepas que en Francia, bien frió y con esos Franceses que son mas peleadores que los mismos FARC! LOL

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billyb says on May 24, 2008, 22:22:

Alma del Norte says on May 24, 2008, 22:09: flag

Hey billyb! Remember it's very early in the morning/late at night. I am sure many are out enjoying themselves, (maybe celebrating Tirofijo's demise), and I should be too


true, maybe this news will help alleviate their hangover when they read the morning's newspaper, might just induce some to resume (or more likely, continue) the celebration. BTW, I have never doubted your, or MT's hope for this outcome (again hoping against hope that it is true).

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Alma del Norte says on May 24, 2008, 22:23:

Lisa Zee says on May 24, 2008, 22:20: flag

"billy: te imaginas esos malditos montaneros en Francia!!!??? comiendo pan Francés y quezo, nada de patacon pisao, ni chicharrones, yo creo después de un tiempo, van a rogar que los regresen a Colombia, mejor en una cárcel en Colombia comiendo arepas que en Francia, bien frió y con esos Franceses que son mas peleadores que los mismos FARC! LOL"



pero el cafe es mejor! jeje

La vida es una rutina

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Lisa Zee says on May 24, 2008, 22:24:

El café Colombiano.

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Alma del Norte says on May 24, 2008, 22:25:

bien preperado.

La vida es una rutina

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slguy says on May 24, 2008, 22:26:

who's reporting this?

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

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billyb says on May 24, 2008, 22:30:

jajaj, si Lisa, tienes razon, pero imaginate la dicha de ellos cuando la ratica (I hope the mods give me a pass on this one, since he has me on ignore, it never really happened, right?) buggy los empiese a visitar, jajaja. Pero ojala que el no les comente que se va ir a vivir en Pereira, cuando ellos no pueden, pues seria muy posible que sus adorados mismos lo maten.

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CatGirl says on May 24, 2008, 22:31:

Yes....who is reporting this? Look at the time?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on May 24, 2008, 22:32:

BB- have you watched "local" news today BTW?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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CatGirl says on May 24, 2008, 22:33:

Oh - I see - yahoo link. I will check that later.

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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Lisa Zee says on May 24, 2008, 22:33:

Ya me lo imagino, jajajaja.

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Medellin Traveler says on May 24, 2008, 22:37:

Colombia says FARC rebel chief dead, hostages could be freed
MSN Date: 5/25/2008 5:49:00 AM

Colombia made bombshell announcements Saturday that the leader of Latin America's longest-running insurgency was dead, and that some of its leaders were ready to free high-profile hostages such as French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt.

President Alvaro Uribe said he had received "calls" from some Marxist FARC rebel leaders who claimed they were ready to hand themselves over and free hostages including 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.

Betancourt was seized by the FARC in 2002 while campaigning for the presidency, and has been held ever since. Pictures released in November showed her looking frail and the French government has warned that she may be gravely ill.

Last month French President Nicolas Sarkozy launched a "humanitarian mission" to contact FARC and obtain access to Betancourt, and sent a plane with doctors and diplomats to Colombia, but it was rejected by the rebels who said in a statement that they "do not act under blackmail."

Earlier Saturday the army announced the death of FARC leader Marulanda, in a major development in its fight against the leftist 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."

Over 40 years, Marulanda turned a group of 48 armed farmers in southern Colombia into a thousands-strong organization which has fought the government and right-wing paramilitaries in a civil war that has claimed more than 200,000 lives.

The FARC has become South America's longest-running and largest insurgency. The rebels are believed to hold an estimated 750 people hostage, and traffic drugs to fund their insurgency against the government.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Lcacique says on May 24, 2008, 23:23:

My fingers are crossed!!! What a wonderful moment in Colombian history if it pans out!!!

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 25, 2008, 01:21:

I'm holding by breath....
I certainly hope it is true. I can't find anything in Colombian dailies online; just the links provided here.
Marulanda's death is probably true, even if ANNCOL says it's not confirmed.
Anncol dice que no hay confirmación de la muerte de 'Marulanda'

Elpais.com.co-AFP

El dato


La muerte de "Tirofijo" ha sido anunciada en múltiples ocasiones desde 1964 cuando creó la guerrilla de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Farc).

La agencia Anncol, que difunde habitualmente información de la guerrilla de las Farc, aseguró este sábado en internet que no hay una confirmación formal de la muerte del líder histórico de ese grupo, Manuel Marulanda Vélez "Tirofijo" , como señaló el gobierno.

"Hasta ahora el Secretariado Nacional de las Farc no ha emitido ningún comunicado. Esta es la única fuente verdadera", señala el texto difundido por Anncol, poco después que el ministerio de Defensa asegurara en un comunicado que Marulanda, de unos 80 años, murió el 26 de marzo.

"Lo cierto es que para Bogotá Marulanda debe estar muerto o morir lo más pronto posible. Querrán ahogar su estercolero con el 'fallecimiento' del legendario líder de las Farc y del pueblo colombiano", comenta el texto de Anncol.

Según el ministerio de Defensa colombiano, Marulanda, "murió el 26 de marzo pasado a las 6 y 30 de la tarde. Las causas de la muerte aún están por confirmar", aunque no se entregaron pruebas sobre esa afirmación."

There was nothing about the release of hostages, but if it's true, THAT would make me very HAPPY and be a reason for CELEBRATION.

I've chosen to celebrate life, not death.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Cerealkiller says on May 25, 2008, 02:00:

I hope they set the kidnapped free, such an action would make me very very happy. And I hope the FARC is completely dismantled by the end of this year. That way colombia will be able to take a deep breath and Uribe's third election goes down the drain as there will be no one left to kill... Surely people can't be stupid enough to elect him on the basis of his war against poverty hahahaha.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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slguy says on May 25, 2008, 02:05:

i was wondering where the "yea, but" folk were.

thanks for restoring my faith in you guys, CK. ;)

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

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Cerealkiller says on May 25, 2008, 02:12:

I don't believe I ever typed the word 'but' slguy. As a matter of fact I see nothing negative about setting the kidnapped free and the seeing FARC completely dismantled. I am also (very different from but) celebrating the possible consequences of such scenario. I really don't see the 'but' anywhere.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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aztec says on May 25, 2008, 05:48:

What a jewel!

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Atrevido says on May 25, 2008, 07:16:

This is why it was so important to pay the bounty on Ivan Rios.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 25, 2008, 07:31:

cuando el rio suena piedras lleva...........he might be dead

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dwmte7 says on May 25, 2008, 07:33:

i won't start counting the 'surrendered' hostages, until they're sitting around a table in poblado.

dwmte

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 07:35:

I'm buying

"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, 07:37:

"i won't start counting the 'surrendered' hostages, until they're sitting around a table in poblado."
Will you settle for Ingrid shopping on Avenue des Champs-Elysées?

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slguy says on May 25, 2008, 07:47:

my implication stands, ck. you anti-uribistas simply cannot welcome even potentially astoundingly great news w/out taking a shot at uribe - whose policies and vision have brought FARC to their knees, whether or not the hostages are released. the word "but" doesn't need to be written to be implied...

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

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juancegomez says on May 25, 2008, 08:10:

I'd hope this is real, but at the very least it's probably exaggerated somewhat.

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podborski says on May 25, 2008, 08:24:

I'd like to think it will happen but it's seems just too good to be true, and the best part of all is the idea of sending the FARC leaders to France! jajaja!

I'm sure billyb made that suggestion several times in the past here, and we all laughed at what a great joke that was..

Now it looks like it is actually seriously in consideration? wow.

I wonder if Uribe is being very clever in using this moment to make the remaining FARC leaders think their colleagues are all abandoning ship, so they will all panic and jump too?

Whatever is really going on, the news could not be better.

(BUT a man responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people died, so I guess we can't be happy about that ...)

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

"BUT a man responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people died, so I guess we can't be happy about that "

that tongued sewed to the cheek, or just visiting, pod? ;)

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

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podborski says on May 25, 2008, 08:52:

what can I say slguy, it's just such a bizarre sentiment...I can't resist taking jabs : )

I'm looking forward to hearing that same sentiment when some fascist kicks the bucket, but think I'll have trouble finding it...

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Lisa Zee says on May 25, 2008, 09:40:

I pray for their release of the hostages, and dream of the mothers hugging their children after their long absence, talking and rejoicing, getting healthy and moving on with their new lives, I really hope Ingrid regains her health and can write a book, she is a wonderful writer, and now she will have a terrific and horrific stories to tell. And yes romy, I hope she can go shopping at "Champs Elysees" and gets to a spa, go to the beach, and enjoy all the things that we do and that she was robed off for so many years!.

The same for all the fathers, and brothers, that suffer so much in the jungle,
I long for the day I can read about all their experiences and to see them healthy and happy.

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CatGirl says on May 25, 2008, 12:42:

Buggy: am very suspicious about the "calls" of leaders of the FARC to Uribe.
Did they call with the same satellite phones as Reyes ?
These calls permitted to the colombian army (with the help of USA ?) to locate Reyes and bomb him.
So I do not see very well a FARC leader calling directly Uribe.
So I shall wait until Uribe says something more accurate."

Never thought I'd say this, jeje...but Buggy I agree with this line. Let's see what happens next. I hope it is true, but I will believe more when it's all over....Uhh? when is election date BTW?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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dwmte7 says on May 25, 2008, 14:30:

no, cat...they walk to the corner, to one of those red phones 'sin cobre' and just call casa narino....hell! for under $20.00 u.s. you can buy a phone there that comes with about a half hour of minutes. i seriously doubt if all the jefes in the jungle have satellite phones.

dwmte

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Cerealkiller says on May 25, 2008, 15:25:

slguy, how does your implication still stand? you say it does, but you hardly provide an explanation to justify such argument. On a different thread you said anti uribistas are the "yes, but" crowd, yet I have nothing to "but" about regarding this particular issue...taking a shot at uribe is not a but, not even close. I think your implication is very weak, if non existent in this case.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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huskie says on May 25, 2008, 15:35:

Bullshit headlock = A lengthy conversation that is unwelcome, with a person you’d rather avoid.
Cheers

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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CatGirl says on May 25, 2008, 15:39:

Huskie "Bullshit headlock = A lengthy conversation that is unwelcome, with a person you’d rather avoid.

Intersting definition...I like it.

Dw: Oh - OK - red phones (?)...hmmm sounds like Batman is afoot (only joking)

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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dwr says on May 25, 2008, 15:51:

Is is too late to start buying up property in the Zonas Rojas for a song?

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goin_south says on May 25, 2008, 15:54:

I missed the second Buggy Ignore list?
I'm ashamed of my self

Where do we go from here?

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slguy says on May 25, 2008, 16:04:

you're entitled to your opinion, of course, ck.

but since the "yea, but" phrase was originally mine, i'm very clear on what i meant. and it is perfectly applicable to your post in question. it means basically that uribe could accomplish things unthinkable 10 years ago like, i don't know - put farc on the run? potentially cause their surrender, and gain kidnap victims' release? and still you guys can't offer up a simple "well done!". no matter what he acomplishes, you have to take a shot at him.

but like i said...you're entitled to your opinion.

it's just that the vast majority of colombians disagree with you, thankfully.

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

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huskie says on May 25, 2008, 16:07:

Hey GS: do svidaniya

do svidaniya = russian for goodbye forever

But dont be HumfyHumfyHumf

HumfyHumfyHumf = An expression of melancholy. Usually expressed when a negative turn of events occur or when the end of a pleasurable experience is pending.
Cheers my friend

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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romy says on May 25, 2008, 16:14:

slguy- who are all the "yea,but" people? I know you think of me as one...

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rocinante says on May 25, 2008, 16:32:

SL guy - what Uribe is accomplishing today can in no way be compared to 10 years ago. He deserves a helluvalot of credit.

"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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ColombianoGringo says on May 25, 2008, 19:13:

I think people are getting ahead of themselves. While I certainly hope it is true, this doesn't seem to be anywhere near a done deal.

I read about this early this morning in a small article on Elespectador.com. In the article(which is no longer on the home page), Uribe claimed that some farc "leaders" had called , but did not seem to state the specific level of the callers within the farc hierarchy. He could have been referring to front level leaders.

It seemed like it was more about Uribe confirming the offer of a reward and safe passage to a third country such as France. He did not imply that any specific deals had been made. I certainly hope that whoever is in control of the hostages decides to take Uribe up on this deal and release them. I hope that we soon have reason to celebrate.

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billyb says on May 25, 2008, 19:16:

Right now it doesn't have to be secreteriat level leaders that we want to turn themselves in, we want the commanders that are holding the hostages to turn themselves in, the others can be bombed into the bowels of hell in due course.

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ColombianoGringo says on May 25, 2008, 19:17:

I know this. That is why I said "I certainly hope that WHOEVER IS IN CONTROL of the hostages decides to take Uribe up on this deal and release them." Some people have interpreted this to mean the main leaders, which may or may not be the case. In fact, it would be better if it was front level leaders that deserted and left the secretariat to twist in the wind.

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dwmte7 says on May 25, 2008, 20:42:

until then, let's wait, prayers afoot, by the tables in poblado, for their--hopefully--soon arrival.

dwmte

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billyb says on May 25, 2008, 20:46:

"it would be better if it was front level leaders that deserted and left the secretariat to twist in the wind."

I think (hope) this is how it will unfold also, as it's the mandos medios and not the secreteriat that have custody of the hostages and the ones most likely to be enticed by the reward.

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slguy says on May 25, 2008, 21:28:

"SL guy - what Uribe is accomplishing today can in no way be compared to 10 years ago. He deserves a helluvalot of credit"

my point exactly, roci.

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

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goin_south says on May 25, 2008, 22:29:

Hey! What a Day.... we have more colombians on here, giving Uribe some credit???

Where do we go from here?

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dwmte7 says on May 26, 2008, 05:01:

let's pass out credits after the hostages are safely returned to their homes/families.

marulanda died!!! did anybody miss that? he wasn't enticed to do squat. he up and f***king died.

now all the deal making will be shown to be what it might/hopefully/can be. we'll know like the pudding test.....when those poor miserable souls come home...it's in the taste.

dwmte

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CatGirl says on May 26, 2008, 11:08:

jajajaajajaj.....love it.

Ps - Don't forget...You can't have your pudding if you don't eat your meat..jeje

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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dwmte7 says on May 26, 2008, 11:59:

".....TEACHER!!!, leave those kids alone."

dwmte

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CatGirl says on May 26, 2008, 12:01:

Ja!!

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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dwmte7 says on May 27, 2008, 06:38:

ah, dinner with marx and engles......mmmmmm, pudding.

dwmte

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romy says on Jul 2, 2008, 17:30:

"The remaining leaders of the FARC have said they will release the hostages in exchange for money and freedom in another country"

took a little longer than a month to come together, at least since we started hearing about the deal

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