Released hostage tells Betancourt he has concrete hope in Chavez

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Released hostage tells Betancourt he has concrete hope in Chavez
Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:57:07 GMT


Bogota - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has an encouraging formula to obtain the release of former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, one of the four hostages released this week by leftist rebels said Friday. "I have to tell Doctor Ingrid that I am encouraged, optimistic. We have talked to President Chavez, there is a hope I cannot comment on now," former legislator Orlando Beltran told Caracol Radio.

"Ingrid, we have suffered a lot. Please resist!" he stressed.

Beltran was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for over six years until his release Wednesday.

He noted that Betancourt - who holds dual French-Colombian citizenship and is the highest-profile hostage held by FARC - has had many disputes with the rebels over her "non-conformist and brave" attitude.

"Ingrid is an intelligent, non-conformist woman, she will not bow to anything, she is a brave woman who is not afraid of death, she will challenge anyone," Beltran said.

Read more: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/189080,released-hostage-tells-betancourt-he-has-concrete-hope-in-chavez.html

[Robbien]

1. Keeping my fingers crossed that Uribe doesn't do something to spoil it

With all European eyes on Colombia, there is hope Venezuelan plans may be successful.

[MasonJar]

2. Please let her go free! Thank you again, Chavez....deserving of a

future Nobel Prize.