Uribe to Colombian rebels: free all hostages

[Bacchus39]

Uribe to Colombian rebels: free all hostages

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090708/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_colombia_uribe_rebels

BOGOTA – Colombian President Alvaro Uribe says he will allow an opposition senator to accompany the release of hostages held by FARC rebels.

But his office set a stiff condition: the leftist insurgents must release all 24 police and soldiers they are known to hold.

Uribe had previously objected to demands by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia that Sen. Piedad Cordoba accompany the International Red Cross at a proposed handover of two hostages.

The rebels have unconditionally released 12 hostages since early 2008, always with Cordoba present. Uribe has expressed distaste for the releases, calling them rebel media coups.

In July 2008, Colombian military agents disguised as international aid workers rescued 15 FARC-held hostages.