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Reaction to Colombian rescue mission

Posted on Wed, Jul. 02, 2008

Reaction to Colombian rescue mission

A roundup of reaction to the Colombian rescue operation that freed three U.S. defense contractors, former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 11 others:

``They got us out grandly.''

• Betancourt on Colombian army radio

``I am the happiest kid in the world right now, 100 percent.''

• Kyle Stansell, 16, son of freed hostage Keith Stansell

``My deepest congratulations to the Colombian security forces, who executed a brilliant operation to successfully free the hostages. . . . You could hear the cheers throughout the building when we announced the success of the rescue. Our hearts go out to the remaining hundreds of Colombian hostages still held by the FARC, and we hope they will soon be freed.''

• Adm. James Stavridis, commander, U.S. Southern Command

``I was shocked. I couldn't believe it.''

• George Gonsalves, father of freed hostage Marc Gonsalves

``We were waiting for just the right moment, and I am elated that the Colombian military has succeeded.''

• Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, Democrat

``Northrop Grumman looks forward to having all three men reunited with their families back home in the United States.''

• The defense contractor that employs them

``Their release is another step toward the disintegration of the FARC and the end of the terrible war in Colombia.''

• Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., chairman of the House subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere

``God bless Colombia. I get emotional talking about this because I think this is a very important moment for Colombia.''

• Fabio Andrade, a Colombian activist in South Florida

``Last night, President Uribe and the defense minister did brief us that the operation was going to take place today.''

• Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who had been visiting Colombia

``I strongly support Colombia's steady strategy of making no concessions to the FARC, and its targeted use of intelligence, military, law enforcement, diplomatic, and political power to achieve important victories against terrorism.''

• Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

``Today is like being reborn.''

• Colombian Cpl. Julio Buitrago, freed hostage

``The rescue was long in the planning and we've been working with Colombia for five years since they [the hostages] were taken to free them from captivity.''

• Blair Jones, White House spokesman

``This was a Colombian operation. We have had a great relationship with the Colombian military for a number of years. But today's success was a Colombian success.''

• Army Col. Bill Costello, U.S. Southern Command

``Rescued.''

• Sign on a plaque with the hostages' photos at Southcom

From Miami Herald Staff and Wire Reports

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/591864.html">http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/591864.html

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© 2008 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.miamiherald.com

By Simon on Jul 2, 2008, 20:00 in Friendly Talkzone.

bamacellist says on Jul 2, 2008, 23:12:

This one's kinda funny, especially with all the blather about McCain having just been visiting the day before:

"We were waiting for just the right moment...

• Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, Democrat"

Everyone's trying to link McCain to the rescue when really it was Bill Nelson who planned it.

"The future is much like the present, only longer."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jul 3, 2008, 03:36:

I was busy at work yesterday when the Great news on the Rescue broke and for a National Reaction here in the US, I went to the ABCNEWS.com website, the political Forum board. And this board is extremely active! What a shock there was NOT One Thread on the Rescue. Some Dufus had a unrelated Colombian Thread with only a few hits, even mispelled it COLUMBIA,,,It appears, at least by this Nationwide Website, that once you are out of Miami, its not registeringon the mainstream Blogsites like ABC. At least by the lack of Posters starting threads on the matter.

http://forums.abcnews.go.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ABCP...

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Jul 3, 2008, 07:45:

just had to drop by and see what your take was on all this, simon.......

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.