Colombian rebels to free hostage politicians within weeks, Chavez tells French minister [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Source: International Herald Tribune/Associated Press

Colombian rebels to free hostage politicians within weeks, Chavez tells French minister
The Associated Press
Published: February 21, 2008

CARACAS, Venezuela: Colombia's largest guerrilla group is expected to release at least three captive Colombian politicians in the coming days or weeks, France's foreign minister said Wednesday.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, will likely free political leader Gloria Polanco, former Sen. Luis Eladio Perez, ex-congressman Orlando Beltran and possibly a fourth unnamed politician "within several days or weeks," Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he was told in a closed-door meeting Wednesday with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

The FARC first announced plans to release the ailing Polanco, Perez and Beltran — who have been held captive for more than six years — in a Jan. 31 communique. The rebels said the decision stemmed from efforts by Chavez and "other friendly governments" to help resolve Colombia's decades-long armed conflict.

Chavez has been trying to negotiate a hostages-for-prisoners swap with the rebels for months, but a spat erupted in November when Colombian President Alvaro Uribe accused him of overstepping his authority by directly contacting Colombia's army chief.



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/21/america/LA-GEN-Venezuela-France-Hostages.php