US Hostages' Families Turn to Chavez

[Judi Lynn]

Source: NY Times/Associated Press

US Hostages' Families Turn to Chavez
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 5, 2007
Filed at 9:00 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Relatives of three U.S. contractors kidnapped more than four years ago by Colombian rebels turned to the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday for help in securing their release.

The three Americans could be included in a possible swap of imprisoned rebels for hostages, said Lynn Stansell, who met with Venezuela's ambassador to Washington, Bernardo Alvarez Herrera.

Her son Keith was grabbed in 2003 by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, also known as the FARC, along with fellow U.S. contractors Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes when their plane crashed during an anti-drug mission.
(snip)

The meeting with the ambassador was spurred by last week's efforts by Chavez to help broker an exchange between the FARC, which holds dozens of high-profile hostages including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, and the Colombian government, which holds hundreds of imprisoned rebels.




Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-US-Colombia-Hostages.html

[Fridays Child]

1. Well, now. Wouldn't that be something.

I hope they're released.

[Judi Lynn]

2. France's Sarkozy hopeful on possible hostage-for-rebel deal by Venezuela's Chavez in Colombia

France's Sarkozy hopeful on possible hostage-for-rebel deal by Venezuela's Chavez in Colombia

The Associated Press
Wednesday, September 5, 2007

PARIS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy holds out hope that Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez' possible mediation with Colombian rebels will lead to the liberation of hostages held by the rebel group, the former husband of Franco-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt said Wednesday.

Following a meeting with Sarkozy, Fabrice Delloye said the French leader had requested Chavez to ask representatives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, for proof that Betancourt is still alive.

Betancourt, a former presidential candidate in Colombia, was kidnapped while campaigning in the south of the country in 2002 and was last seen publicly in a video statement in 2003.

Chavez's meeting with the FARC would be a bid to arrange a possible exchange of hundreds imprisoned guerrillas for about several dozen prominent rebel-held hostages, including Betancourt. No date for the talks has been set.

More:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/05/europe/EU-GEN-France-Colombia.php

[StClone]

3. I hope he succeeds

Chavez is not perfect but damn the guy is better than most.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Brazilian President supports humanitarian mediation of President Chavez with Colombia

Brazilian President supports humanitarian mediation of President Chavez with Colombia
Posted: 2007/09/05
From: Mathaba

Caracas, Sept 4th (ABN).- The Brazilian President, Luis Inácio Lula Da Silva, expressed Monday his full support to his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chávez, for his actions to reach an humanitarian agreement for the release of the political leaders, militaries and policies kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

Furthermore, both Presidents agreed to meet in Manaos, capital of the Brazilian Amazonia, on September 20th, in order to review the bilateral agenda, agreements and other common issues, a press communiqué issued by the Venezuelan Ministry of People’s Power for Communication and Information (Minci) reported.

Lula called Chávez and offered to the Venezuelan leader all the political and diplomatic collaboration that he needs in his role as mediator.

Likewise, Lula foretold success to the Venezuelan mediation, which has ''a strategic importance for Brazil, which extensive borders with Colombia have been affected by frequent disruptions caused by the domestic dispute of Colombia''.

The Brazilian President is the second head of state who express support to the Venezuelan mediation in Colombia. Last Sunday, during President Chávez’ weekly TV show Aló Presidente, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called to express his support to Chávez.
(snip/...)

http://mathaba.net/news/?x=563030

[killbotfactory]

5. Wow

I hope he succeeds.